Well, that was fun, wasn’t it?
Week 2 of the new season was as exciting and thrilling as one could wish for, with goals and record breaking victories capping off an entertaining weekend.
Following what some will describe as a pragmatic approach to the first round of fixtures, the season needed a lift and the clubs provided just that.
From King Faisal’s stunning victory in Dormaa to Kotoko’s last-gasp victory, we take a look at the key highlights from the fixtures.
But first, the data from week 2 of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season.
The data
NB: The data provided does not include the game between Medeama and Bibiani Gold Stars which will be played on Tuesday.
Goals
Week 2 was characterized by excitement and thrills largely due to the huge score lines that were recorded at the various venues.
Unlike week 1 where only two teams scored more than two goals, four clubs scored more than 2 goals in this round.
Legon Cities’ 3-2 win over RTU gives them a spot in this category and are joined by Dreams FC who reversed their 3-1 defeat against Kotoko last week.
Olympics are also in the category thanks to Maxwell Abbey Quaye’s hat-trick in the Accra derby, while King Faisal also earn a spot after stunning Aduana Stars in Dormaa.
The consequence of this is that 23 goals were recorded in week 2, three more than what was recorded at this stage last season and six more than what was recorded in the first week of this season.
In terms of the break down of goals, 11 (48.%) of the 23 goals were scored by away sides while the 12 (52%) were scored by home teams.
Wins, draws, losses
Just like week 1, five wins were recorded in the latest round of fixtures.
Kotoko and King Faisal maintained their perfect start to the season with home and away wins respectively.
The former defeated Bechem United, who thrashed Medeama on week 1, by 2-0, while King Faisal secured a shocking score line in Dormaa with a 3-1 win over Aduana Stars.
Dreams FC also took all three points from Elmina, as they defeated Sharks 3-1 while Legon Cities won 3-2 against RTU and Olympics with a 3-1 win over Accra Lions.
The win percentage in week 2 was 63.
Three draws were recorded in week 2 and were from the games between Ashanti Gold and Karela; WAFA and Hearts and Berekum Chelsea and Eleven Wonders. The draw percentage was 37.
Goal and assist kings
After just two games played in the season, Olympics forward Maxwell Abbey Quaye and David Sandan Abagna are joint top on the goal scoring chart.
Abbey Quaye handed Olympics with a victory in the Accra derby with a superb hat-trick while Abagna netted twice in his side’s defeat to Legon Cities to add to the 1 goal he scored against Olympics in week 1.
Fatawu Issahaku once again netted for Dreams FC on Sunday and took his tally to 2 goals.
He, thus, shares the same spot with Emmanuel Avornyo who netted a brace in week 1 and King Faisal’s Ibrahim Osman who scored in his side’s historic win.
Super sub, Isaac Oppong continues to lead the assist chart with two assists from two games, the same figure produced by Augustine Okrah of Bechem United.
Highlights
Kotoko leave it late again
For the second game in a row, Kotoko had to secure a last-gasp victory.
It took Prosper Nettey’s side up until the 86th minute to score three goals in last week’s win over Dreams FC and a similar trick was pulled off in week 2.
With the game barren after 84 minutes, Abdul Ganiyu slotted home a penalty to give the home side the lead before Samuel Boateng gave them the cushion in the 904th minute.
While scoring late goals is not ideal, it does speak to the relentless character and attitude of the team and could be a great factor if they are to challenge for the trophy.
Aduana defeated after 18 games
Aduana Stars made a fortress out of their home grounds last season, as none of the 17 clubs were able to pick up more than a point from Dormaa.
Out of the 17 games played at home last season, the two time Ghana Premier League champions won 13 of them and drew the four remaining.
This means that they won 43 of their total 55 total points of last season at their home venue.
But that record didn’t last long to be broken as King Faisal knocked them down.
The Kumasi based side who netted a late goal in their first game to secure a winner defeated them by 3-1.
Same stage last season…
King Faisal’s win over Aduana Stars did not only see them take off Aduana’s invincibility cloak, but also showed the club’s progress in the new season.
At this stage last season, King Faisal drew at home with Aduana Stars and saw them pick up just a point from two games, but the picture is completely different this time.
They have picked 6 out of 6 points, this season, and have scored the same number of goals they scored at this same stage last season (4).
They have just conceded a goal as compared to the 4 goals in their first two games of last season.
King Faisal are joined by Kotoko as one of the most improved teams in the league.
The Porcupine Warriors who were led by Maxwell Konadu then recorded two draws in their first two games against Berekum Chelsea and Eleven Wonders but have won both fixtures this season.
They have scored 5 goals as against the two they scored last season and have conceded 1 as against last season’s 2.
Despite not having a fine start for a defending champion, Accra Hearts of Oak have actually amassed more points than they did at this stage last season.
Their first two games, in the previous season, saw them losing to Aduana Stars at Dormaa and drawing with Ashanti Gold, picking just 1 point out of 6.
Legon Cities and Ashanti Gold have also improved their points tally as compared to last season.
They both have 4 points as compared to the 1 and 2 they had respectively in the previous season.
What’s next?
Medeama and Bibiani Gold Stars will play the 9th fixture of week 2 in Tarkwa on Tuesday before week 3 gets underway later in the week.
The headline fixture will of course be the one between Accra Hearts of Oak and Aduana Stars.
The Phobians will certainly hope to avoid dropping extra points as that will give their arch rivals Kotoko an advantage if they pick up a third consecutive win against Bibiani Gold Stars.
