The Miners continued their impressive start to the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season with a narrow 1-0 win over newly promoted Swedru All Blacks at
The Miners continued their impressive start to the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season with a narrow 1-0 win over newly promoted Swedru All Blacks at the Swedru Sports Stadium.
The match, played on Saturday afternoon, was a test of resilience and tactical discipline, especially for the visitors who were coming off a disappointing continental campaign where they were mauled by Algerian side JS Kabylie in the second leg.
Despite the hostile atmosphere and early pressure from the hosts, Gold Stars showed their championship pedigree to grind out a crucial away victory, which will calm the nerves of the disgruntled fans down.
Swedru All Blacks, buoyed by their home crowd, began the match with high intensity.
They dominated possession in the first half and created several promising chances. However, their finishing let them down, and they were unable to convert their dominance into goals.
Gold Stars’ defence, marshalled by veteran Vincent Atingah, remained compact and disciplined, frustrating the All Blacks’ attacking efforts.
The first half ended goalless, but the hosts looked the more likely to score because they had threatened the visitors severally.
The breakthrough came just two minutes into the second half. Bibiani Gold Stars capitalised on a lapse in concentration from the All Blacks midfield and defence, as forward Michael Nkoah latched onto a well-timed through ball.
With composure and precision, he slotted the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead. It was a moment of brilliance that highlighted Gold Stars’ ability to strike decisively even when under immense pressure.
Following the goal, Swedru All Blacks responded with urgency. They pushed forward in search of an equaliser, and substitute Hakim Mohammed nearly delivered in stoppage time, only to see his effort crash against the woodwork.
Earlier, Gold Stars had a chance to double their lead when Samuel Atta Kumi’s close-range shot also struck the upright. The match remained tense until the final whistle, with both sides showing flashes of quality but lacking the final touch.
Ultimately, Bibiani Gold Stars’ experience and efficiency proved decisive. They absorbed pressure, took their chance when it came, and held firm defensively to secure all three points.
The win marked Gold Stars’ second successive league victory, keeping their perfect start intact. For Swedru All Blacks, the result was a harsh lesson in top-flight football, where missed chances and defensive lapses can be costly.
Looking ahead, Swedru All Blacks will aim to bounce back when they travel to face FC Samartex, while Bibiani Gold Stars prepare for a headline clash against Asante Kotoko in midweek.
With momentum on their side, the defending champions will be eager to extend their winning run and solidify their position at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, All Blacks must regroup and sharpen their finishing if they hope to compete consistently at this level.
COMMENTS