The Ghana Premier League (GPL) is currently defined more by parity than by genuine dominance, a statistical analysis reveals. After 14 weeks of competition, the league table paints a picture of teams clustered closely together, rather than a clear separation of high-performing sides from those struggling.
League leaders Aduana Stars, despite sitting atop the table with 27 points, have only managed 8 wins in 14 matches. Their recent form has been particularly patchy, with just two wins in their last five games. This contrasts sharply with a strong run between October 12 and November 11, where they secured six wins and two draws in eight matches.
Medeama S.C. are arguably the most consistent side, boasting the league’s longest unbeaten run and fewest defeats. However, their title challenge is hampered by a high number of draws. “Even if they win their outstanding match against Gold Stars, they will still have drawn more matches than they have won since match week 5,” a source close to the club noted.
Asante Kotoko, traditionally a force in Ghanaian football, have shown inconsistency. While unbeaten at home in seven matches, they’ve only secured four wins at the Baba Yara Stadium. Their away form and overall goal-scoring record are also cause for concern, with Hubert Gyau and Peter Amidu Acquah, both midfielders, being their joint top scorers with just three goals apiece.
Hearts of Oak have similarly struggled for consistent victories. Despite an initial unbeaten streak, they’ve failed to establish themselves as genuine title contenders. Their home form at the Accra Sports Stadium was particularly poor, managing only one win in five matches. A recent venue change to the University of Ghana Stadium has yielded positive results, but their overall goal tally of just ten in fourteen matches highlights their attacking deficiencies.
The close nature of the league is further emphasized by Hearts of Oak’s impressive away record, collecting 12 points from 7 matches. This suggests that the difference between teams isn’t necessarily about home advantage, but rather a general lack of significant quality gaps.
The numbers suggest a league where any team can take points off another, making for unpredictable results and a tightly contested title race. Whether this ultimately translates to a more exciting league remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the GPL’s competitiveness stems from a level playing field, rather than a concentration of top-tier teams.
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