Ahead of the start of the second round of the 2009/2010 Glo Premier League, the first round has produced some interesting statistics after a total of 120 games played by all sixteen participating sides.
Though the hunt for the title continues, the records compiled by the Premier League Board of the Ghana Football Association gives an insight into assessing the first round of the league which has seen debutants Aduana Stars open a one-point lead at the top.
Summarized highlights of the 120 matches played during the first round the 2009/2010 Glo Premier League.
GOALS
252 - Total goals scored at the end of round one. This compares favorably with 253 and 252 goals scored during the same period in the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 seasons respectively. This gives an average of 2.1 goals per match.
20 - Highest number of goals scored in the league so far by Kessben.
21 - Highest number of goals conceded by Hasaacas
5 - Least number of goals conceded by leaders, Aduana Stars . It is interesting to note that Aduana Stars won seven out of its eight home matches by a lone goal each and have conceded the same score line in its three away loses.
6 - A total of six clubs namely Aduana Stars, Kessben, Ashantigold, Arsenal, Heart of Lions and Asante Kotoko are unbeaten at home.
GOAL KING RACE
8 - Number of goals scored by New Edubiase player Seidu Bansi that puts him in the lead of the goal king race.
6 - Is the number of goals scored by the Nathaniel Asamoah of Wa All Stars which keeps him second and nine other players who have all scored five (5) goals each.
Goal-kings in 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 seasons scored eleven (11) and seven (7) goals respectively by the end of the first round.
4 - Highest number of goals scored by an individual in a game and that record was set by John Antwi of Eleven Wise.
2 - Only two players Abdul Bashiru (Eleven Wise) and Bansi Seidu (New Edubiase) have scored hat tricks whilst nine others scored a brace each.
133 - In all a total of 133 players registered their names on the score sheet.
CAUTIONS
425 - The total of cautions were given compared to 410 at the same period last season.
26 - Expulsions were made compared to 23 at the same period last season.
It could be inferred from the above statistics that discipline among players has slightly increased this season. It could also mean that officiating with regards to correct and consistent interpretation and application of the rules and spirit of the laws of the game have improved.
FINES
Gh¢8,500 - Total amount handed out to offending players and clubs by the Disciplinary Committee and PLB as at the 12th Week. They arose mostly from violation of Articles 35.3, 35.4 and 39.6 (a) and (b) of the GFA Regulations which deal with sprinkling of concoction, misconduct of supporters and club officials and expulsion of players respectively.
Fines Table
Asante Kotoko might be struggling to break into the top four but they top the fines table.
KOTOKO ………….……….………….…GH¢ 2,125 KING FAISAL ………….………….……… GH¢ 1,875 R. T. U …………….……….…………GH¢ 1.625 GT. OLYMPICS …………….……….…………GH¢ 625 ADUANA STARS …………….……….…………GH¢ 625 ASHANTIGOLD …………….…….………GH¢ 500 HASAACAS ……………….………………GH¢ 500 HEARTS OF OAK ……………….………… GH¢ 250 HEART OF LIONS ………………….……… GH¢ 250 WA ALL STARS ………………….…… GH¢ 125
DISCIPLINARY CASES
25 - A total disciplinary cases referred to the Disciplinary Committee for adjudication during the first round.
So far the judicial body has sat and decided on thirteen of the cases from the 1st – 12th Week.
2 - PLB has appealed against two (2) of the decisions. In addition to fines imposed on Hasaacas and Kotoko for their supporters misconduct, the Board wants the offending clubs to be surcharged with the cost of damages they caused to the substitution board.
FAIR PLAY
New Edubiase United is leading the fair play chart with eighteen (18) points, followed by Aduana Stars with twenty-one (21) points and Kessben FC twenty-four (24) points.
On the other hand the three teams at the bottom of the chart are R. T. U (40 points), King Faisal (40 points) and Asante Kotoko (46 points).
PLAYER INDISCIPLINE
The most indisciplined player in the first round of the league was OFOSU APPIAH (No. 5) of Asante Kotoko. He has so far received two (2) red and four (4) yellow cards. He is closely followed by BABA IDDI of R.T.U (2 red and 2 yellow cards), Daniel Coleman (R.T.U), FRANCIS AGGREY (Arsenal) and RICHARD AFARI (Chelsea) who have all been cautioned six times each.
On the other end, goalkeeper of Aduana Stars, STEPHEN ADAMS emerged as the most disciplined player in the league. Despite featuring in all the fifteen matches during the 1st round he did not attract any caution.
OFFICIATING AT MATCHES
In the course of the 1st Round PLB received several complaints, both written and verbal, from club officials and clubs alleging biased officiating against their clubs especially in matches played outside their venues. Some of these complaints were corroborated by reports from Match Commissioners, Referees Assessors and Match Coordinators.
On receipt of such reports the Board generally arranged to view footages of the matches concerned. Where there was evidence of bad officiating appropriate recommendations were made to GFA to sanction the officiating officials involved. So far one referee has been recommended for indefinite suspension for poor performances.
In addition to the above measure, GFA is taking action to improve the capacity of match officials by organising refresher courses for them.
An orientation course was organized for referees at Prampram on 18th October 2009, whilst Match Assessors had theirs at GFA Secretariat on 9th December 2009.
Notwithstanding the many complaints constantly leveled against referees the Board is still satisfied with their performance
SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES AND COMPLAINTS
Article 66.4.5 of the GFA Statutes enjoins PLB to settle disputes between clubs. In pursuant of this mandate a delegation of the Board visited Sekondi Sports Stadium on 18th November 2009. The delegation was there to help resolve the numerous complaints visiting teams have been leveling against the two Sekondi premier clubs – Hasaacas and Eleven Wise – during matches at the centre. The delegation managed to successfully address all the complaints raised.
On 7th December 2009 the Board led by the Chairman, Mr. W. Abra-Appiah went to Kumasi to mediate in conflicts involving Ashantigold and Kessben.
On 13th January 2010 another PLB delegation also led by the Chairman, Mr. W. Abra-Appiah went to Kumasi to resolve differences between Kotoko/Ashantigold and Aduana Stars/New Edubiase United.
PLB is happy to report that the mediation efforts in respect of both cases were hugely successful.
PLB would continue to encourage clubs harbouring grievances against other clubs to pursue the option of mediation in solving their difference instead of resorting to unorthodox methods to settle them.
SPONSORSHIP OF THE LEAGUE
GLO Mobile Ghana, title sponsors of the league, fully honoured its terms of the sponsorship agreement. It paid the first installment of the sponsorship fee totaling UD$1,500,000 for the 2009/2010 league season in December 2009.
In consideration of the payment of the fee the company enjoyed all the sponsorship benefits it is entitled. Other sponsors namely OMP and Voltic similarly fulfilled their parts of sponsorship agreement and subsequently enjoyed their mileage