It was the top of the table clash in the Ghana Premier League and was also the first time in over 30 years that the two giants of Ghana football – Kotoko and Hearts, who double as the bitterest rivals, were neck to neck for the league title.

All locked on 53 points, the winner of the game was, to a large extent, likely to emerge the winner of the Ghana Premier League. For this reason, it was more than a game. It was life. It was a battle of swords. It was a battle of brains. It was a battle of grit and the better side was certainly going to be victorious.

All over the country, everyone; young, old, man, woman, pastors, malams, farmers, market women, the corporate world, politicians, were all poised for action. Who was set to win the day? Attention had hugely shifted on the game, characterized by uncountable calls for access to get ticket for the game.

For someone who has been a great ambassador of the local game and has consistently been on StarTimes to analyse matches in the league to the delight of many, it was a game I was dreaming of analyzing on TV. But that was not to be.

I had to go on assignment, as a member of the Division One League Board, to monitor, observe and ensure the Match Day 26 clash between Real Tamale United and Bofoakwa Tano is played under safe and secured environment.

Honestly, I was not happy missing the Hearts-Kotoko clash since it was the biggest game on our calendar but my presence in Tamale was paramount.

Will you believe me if I tell you I did not miss the Hearts-Kotoko game on Sunday? Trust me, I did not. The clash between RTU and Bofo sold an impeccable encounter that took my attention off the Heart-Kotoko Super Clash game.

From 7am till 9pm, every Tom, Dick and Harry in Tamale knew something was going on in town. The charged atmosphere, the vociferous fans, the tensed players and the expectant club leadership were enough to send the message.

For RTU, it was a match of destiny. It was a game they couldn’t afford to drop points. It was a game fit for the gods; that’s how I chose to describe it. Bofo were on top of the Zone 1 table with 52 points and RTU followed closely with 50. And the result of that game, just like the Hearts-Kotoko game, was to a larger extent, the decider of the winner of the zone. So both clubs were not in to joke.

How RTU fans cheered their team on to victory on Sunday against Bofoakwa Tano. I'm sure Veep @MBawumia will love this 😂#TheLoveIsBack pic.twitter.com/JkqpRnfJeU

— Sheikh Tophic Sienu (@SheikhTophic) June 29, 2021

The entire VIP Section of the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium was packed with many of the people, who – if I’m not mistaken – were watching football at the stadium for the first time.

I was startled. I looked at the crowd and swiftly started having flashy recollection of the slogan #BringBackTheLove.

Seeing the crowd and their vociferous support for the home side RTU, I was torn between whether to say we’re bringing back the love or the love was back already!

From the build-up of the Hearts-Kotoko Super Clash, to the Women’s Premier League championship clash between Hasaacas Ladies and Ampem Darkoaa Ladies to the titanic clash between RTU and Bofoakwa Tano, all happening the same weekend, you will surely not be mistaken if you say the love is already back.

Yes the love is already back. Perhaps, the GFA must buy the patent rights from me for a new slogan #TheLoveIsBack as it seems the #BringBackTheLove has already accomplished its job.

The build-up to the Hearts-Kotoko game saw pastors making prophecies, politicians making strong statements, celebrities taking the center stage; declaring their support for either of the teams, former players throwing their weight behind their sides and the neutrals couldn’t just wait to witness the game.

With the directive of the GoG to have only 25% of spectators at match venues, the VIP section of the Accra Sports Stadium was pregnant with high profile people whose love for the local game had suddenly been discovered.

Pubs and game centers were impregnated with scores of people who did not only go to watch and enjoy the local game but also paid to watch. Incredible, isn’t it?

For once, many had forgotten that the Euro 2020 Championship was ongoing, and for those who doubted what the #BringBackTheLove slogan could do, Sunday was a testimony and a justification that #TheLoveIsBack.

Capitulating into what appears the icing on the cake, the Vice President of the country, the second gentleman of the land – Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia – could not hide his joy when he jumped on facebook to applaud his club RTU for winning over Bofoakwa Tano ending with the hash tag #BringBackTheLove

For the doubting thomases who felt the #BringBackTheLove was just sloganeering and will have no positive effect on our beautiful game, I have a lot of pies in my locker for them to humbly eat and jump to it, perhaps start the new slogan #TheLoveIsBack.