With the Glo Premier League set for a return next month, the first round has produced some good statistics after a total of 240 games were 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 interesting assessment of the first round of the league which has seen Hearts of Oak open a 9-point lead at summit.
Highlights of 1st Round of 2008/2009 Glo Premier League
GOALS
252 - The total of goals was scored during the 1st round. This gives an average of 2.1 goals per match.
168 - That’s the number of goals scored by home teams representing two-thirds of the total goals scored.
84 - The number of goals scored by away teams.
9 - Is the number of goals scored so far by the league’s leading scorer, Obed Ansah of Hearts of Oak.
1 - Only Edward Affum (Tema Youth) has scored a hat-trick in the league.
13 - Players have scored a total of 17 braces.
19 - The number of match balls presented to the scorers as prizes for their achievements.
FINES
GH¢9,770.00 - The total sum imposed on offending clubs, players and club officials by PLB and the Disciplinary Committee during the first round.
DISCIPLINARY CASES
22 - The number of disciplinary cases were referred to the Disciplinary Committee for determination during the period under review.
9 - The number of cases that have been heard whilst the rest are pending before the judicial body.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
4 - This number of Class 1 referees namely; J. A. AMENYAH, YAKUBU NUHU LIMAN, N.A.T. PLANGE and SOLOMON MORDAY were suspended by GFA for poor performance during the first round.
3 - Other Class 1 referees namely; Kofi Antwi Kennedy Bentsil and Yaw Ametepe were cautioned to improve their knowledge on the laws of the game and psychology of refereeing.
8 - Seven ball boys in Sekondi and one in Obuasi were similarly suspended indefinitely for their unsporting behaviour.
1 - A supporter of Sekondi Hasaacas, Araba Tagoe was severely reprimanded by the PLB for her unsporting behaviour at matches played at the Sekondi Sports Stadium. She was warned to be of good behaviour or face a severer disciplinary action in future.
CAUTIONS
410 - The number of players were cautioned.
23 - Players sent off the field during the first round. All the expelled players were duly fined and suspended from playing a number of matches in accordance with the GFA Regulations.
INCIDENTS
5 - The number of football related deaths recorded. Four football fans lost their lives during the 9th week league match between Kotoko and Hearts of Oak played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on 8th February, 2009. A number of fans also sustained various degrees of injury in the accident.
Also, Mr. J.Z. X.X.X. K. Ackom, a PLB Video Cameraman, also lost his life in a tragic motor accident whilst returning to Accra after covering the 13th week league match between Sekondi Eleven Wise and Accra Hearts of Oak at Sekondi.
FAIR PLAY CHART
410 - Total number of yellow cards were issued during the first round of the league.
23 - Total number of red cards recorded during the first round of the league.
23 - Is the number of points gained by Berekum Chelsea to top the standings on the Fair Play Chart after the first round. The Berekum side picked up 17 yellow cards plus a red card.
51 - The number of points picked up by Gamba All Blacks that sees them sit at the bottom of the Fair Play Chart. The Black Magicians received 34 yellow card and two red cards.