The fixture between Legon Cities and King Faisal on Monday, brought to an end what has been an enthralling first round of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season.
With the exception of Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak who still have a game in hand, the remaining 16 clubs have fulfilled their 17 match week obligations.
Ghana’s two most decorated clubs were unable to match up in the first round of the season as a result of the Phobians’ involvement in continental duty, but the fixture is now set to go ahead on 20th February, 2021 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
However, even without the blessing of that prestigious fixture, the first round of this campaign, like the preceding one, has been intriguing in several ways.
King Faisal, in particular, have been one of the most outstanding teams this season and their incredible rise is in stark contrast to where they were at this same stage last season.
Kumasi Asante also fall in the same category as their regional rivals but not so much can be made of their arch rivals and defending champions, Accra Hearts of Oak, who are experiencing a poor first half of the season in comparison to that of 20/21.
20/21 and 21/22: Which teams have improved or declined?
In here, we compare the first round of the 20/21 to the 21/22 Ghana Premier League season.
The comparison primarily takes into account the accumulated points difference, position difference and goal difference of teams in the first round of the 20/21 and 21/22 seasons.
It has to be indicated that relegated teams, Ebusua Dwarfs, Liberty Professional and Inter Allies will not form part of this comparison so will newly promoted sides, Gold Stars, Accra Lions and Real Tamale United as a result of their lack of participation in one of the seasons.
Which teams have improved?
King Faisal
In terms of the most improved team with the first round of the 20/21 and the 21/22 seasons in perspective, no team comes close to King Faisal Babies, who have seen a meteoric rise in their points tally and position on the league table.
The Kumasi based side were firm favorites for relegation in the first round of last season, lying in 16th position with just 17 points after 17 games.
There has been a sharp turnaround, however, as they have enjoyed a brilliant campaign so far, which has seen them in and around the top 4 this season.
As compared to the first round of the previous season, King Faisal have accumulated 26 points after 17 games and are currently in 5th place having seen their PPG (Point Per Game) rise from 1.00 to 1.53.
King Faisal’s rise can be partly attributed to their decent goal difference this season.
King Faisal are enjoying one of their best seasons in the top flight
Unlike last season, they have conceded just 16 goals which is 11 less than what they conceded in the first round of the previous season.
They have scored the same number of goals as the first round of last season to keep their goal difference at +2 as compared to -9 in the previous.
Again, King Faisal’s ability to pick points from some of the top clubs including Ashanti Gold, Kotoko and Aduana Stars has been key to their rise this season.
Kotoko
Current table toppers Kumasi Asante Kotoko are the second most improved team with the first round of the 20/21 and 21/22 seasons in perspective.
In fact, they could have been sharing the same status with King Faisal, if not for their outstanding game.
Having amassed 6 points more than they did at this same stage last season, a win against arch rivals Hearts of Oak will see them level with King Faisal.
The team now managed by Prosper Nartey Ogum are currently on 36 points and are as a result on top of the league table with a 6 point lead which could be extended to 9.
Despite conceding more goals this season, Kotoko have scored more goals to help achieve the aforementioned rise.
In the first round of last season, they scored 17 goals and conceded 7, accumulating to a goal difference of +8.
This term, they have scored 26 goals and conceded 10 goals, with a goal difference of +10.
Undoubtedly, the presence of Etouga has been pivotal, with the player netting 11 out of the 26 goals scored by Kotoko this season.
Kumasi Asante Kotoko do share the second position with Bechem United who have amassed six points more than they did last season and have also seen a positional change from 8th to 2nd.
Below is a table showing which teams have improved in the Ghana Premier League
| Team | Points difference | Position difference | |
| 1 | King Faisal | +9 | +11 |
| 2 | Kotoko | +6 | +1 |
| 3 | Bechem United | +6 | +6 |
| 4 | Aduana Stars | +3 | +3 |
| 5 | Legon Cities | +2 | +2 |
| 6 | Berekum Chelsea | +1 | +2 |
Which teams have declined?
Elmina Sharks
Perhaps, their position on the league table after the first half of the season is not so surprising.
With the periods under consideration, Elmina Sharks have declined the most, having accumulated 9 points less in the first round of this season as compared to the last.
At this same stage last season, they had gained 20 points and were in 12th place but there has been a significant change.
Elmina Sharks have only been able to pick up just 11 points from their first 17 games this season and have moved from 12th to 18th position.
There is a clear explanation to their sharp decline, with the team now scoring less and conceding more this season.
After 17 games last season, Sharks had a goal difference of -4 after scoring 18 times and conceding 22.
This term, they have scored just 9 goals in 17 games and conceded 27 in the process, taking their goal difference to -18.
Karela United
Karela United follow Elmina Sharks as the most declined team this season.
The western region based side established a point lead at the top of the table last season after 17 games, but with the same amount of fixtures played this term, they are nowhere close to the standard they set.
Their accumulated points of 25 this term is six less than what they achieved at this same stage last season, resulting in a position difference of -6.
Just like Elmina Sharks, Karela United are scoring less and conceding more this season.
In the first half of last season, they managed to get in 25 goals while their defence was breached 17 times. This term, they have scored three goals less and conceded 2 goals more.
Other declining teams
Of the lot available in this category, it is the defending champions Accra Hearts who are the standout.
The Phobians have certainly not had the best of campaigns, having been eliminated from both the Champions league and the Confederation cup.
Despite not being in first place after 17 games last season, the Phobians were in the top four and just 4 points behind leaders Karela United.
They however sit in 8th place this season, having accumulated three points less.
There has also been a considerable decline in their goal difference.
In the first round of last season, Hearts recorded a goal difference of +11 having scored 25 goals and conceded just 14.
This season, they have scored just 15 goals and conceded 10 after 17 games.
Below is a table showing which teams have declined in the Ghana Premier League
| Team | Points difference | Position difference | |
| 1 | Elmina Sharks | -9 | -5 |
| 2 | Karela United | -6 | -6 |
| 3 | WAFA | -4 | -5 |
| 4 | Eleven Wonders | -4 | -3 |
| 5 | Hearts of Oak | -3 | -4 |
| 6 | Dreams FC | -3 | -3 |
| 7 | Olympics | -2 | 0 |
| 8 | Medeama SC | -1 | -1 |
| 9 | Ashanti Gold | 0 | -1 |
