As we approach the 2020-21 Ghana Football season, FMiG will take time to profile all 18 clubs who play in the Premier League.
Today the lenses focus on two time champions Aduana Stars.
Enjoy the read…
NAME: Aduana Stars
MAIDEN SEASON: 2009
YEAR FOUNDED: 1985
Aduana Stars qualified into Ghana’s top division in the 2009-10 season after a successful playoff spell in the National Division One the season before.
After emerging second best in Zone 1B of the National Division One league, the Ogya Lads, conquered a Play-Off zone comprising, Guan United (Tamale), Bechem United FC (Bechem) and Universal Stars (Techiman).
The exact date for sealing qualification to the top flight was on August 19, 2009 when after a 2-1 Universal Stars, Aduana Stars came out top of their group.
Aduana Stars as a debutant will go on to make history by becoming the only side in World Football to win a national topflight league by scoring the fewest goals per game average.
As captured by RSSSF, ‘Aduana Stars, won the 2009/10 Ghanaian league by scoring only 19 goals in 30 matches, an average of 0.633 – by far the worst scoring record of any side in the 16-team league.
Another curiosity of Aduana’s title was that they were a newly promoted club; making them the first such club to win the championship in Ghana. The Dormaa based side first ever debutant to win the league in Ghana.
They did this at the expense of Ashantigold FC who lost out on the title on the final day.
The legendary Hearts of Oak Coach Herbert Addo steered the club to this feat with a setup that included players like Godfred Saka, Emmanuel Akuoko, Gabriel Opoku Ware, Seth Opare, Samuel Asiedu, Wahab Adams, Francis Aduhene and Kofi Nti Boakye.
Herbert Addo’s experience in the local terrain served the perfect guide that led Aduana to pip Ashantigold FC to the ultimate on the final day.
Since their maiden season, Aduana Stars have carved a niche as a title contender almost every season and the club has grown to become one of the big boys in the league in the last 10 years.
They cemented their place among the double league winners in Ghana Premier league history when they annexed the ultimate during the 2017 season under the late Yussif Abubakar.
The Ogya Lads boast a record of 105 wins in the Premier League out of 240 games.
Aduana Stars’ African record stands at a Group Stage appearance in 2018 being the only time they reached that far in a CAF Inter-Club competition. They have also tried unsuccessfully twice to make the CAF Champions league group stage.
Ahead of the new season, Aduana Stars have a squad rich in experience and youth playing under the tutelage of renowned gaffer Samuel Paa Kwesi Fabin.
Judging by their exploits in previous seasons and the quality they still possess, Aduana Stars are definitely a favorite for the upcoming campaign.
