Sapholda Hockey League: Exchequers stay unbeaten to top first round

Defending champions Exchequers of Bank of Ghana wrapped up the first round of the 2025 Sapholda Greater Accra Hockey League in style, clinging to top spot after a pulsating 1-1 draw with Ghana Army at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium in Accra last Saturday.

The match was as tense as it was tactical. Ghana Army thought they had snatched it when Abdellah Addison broke the deadlock in the 47th minute. 

But Exchequers, determined to preserve the league’s only unbeaten record, responded with a dramatic late equaliser from Francis Tetteh Lartey, earning a vital point that kept them at the summit.

The draw sees the Bankers finish the first half of the campaign with 14 points from six matches—four wins and two draws—just one ahead of second-placed Police, who also dropped points after a 1-1 draw with Legon Knights.

Meanwhile, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) rediscovered their spark after back-to-back losses, edging Ark Men 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. GRA now sit third with 12 points, just two off the leaders, as the title race heats up.

Ark Men grabbed an early lead through Harris Alisu in the 10th minute, holding on until halftime. But GRA roared back in the second half with a trio of penalty corner goals from Luke Kofi Damalie, Matthew Damalie and Jesse Selorm Bema. Although Shaibu Ibrahim Bilal pulled one back for Ark, it was too little, too late.

Former champions Ghana Army remain in the hunt, sitting fourth on 10 points, while Reformers of Prisons, who had a bye this weekend after completing their six first-round matches, are fifth with six points.

At the bottom of the table, Ark Men and Legon Knights both remain winless, with just two points apiece, propping up the standings in sixth and seventh places, respectively.

Women's League: GRA Royal Ladies dominate

In the women’s division, GRA Royal Ladies have stamped their authority on the competition, winning all five matches to sit pretty atop the table with 15 points. They lead second-placed Army Ladies by five points, with Police Ladies third on nine.

Reformers, Extinguishers and Legon Knights follow in fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, as the league enters a short recess before resuming with round two on August 2.