Ghana Premier League run-in: Who wins title race, Medeama, Gold Stars or Hearts of Oak?

With round 31 completed, the Ghana Premier League title race is getting hotter, tighter and ever more competitive with Tarkwa-based club Medeama SC and Gold Stars of Bibiani locked in a two-horse race for the coveted trophy. Hearts of Oak fans still believe they have a chance even after ending it on Wednesday in Accra.

Week 31 results

* Bibiani Gold Stars 2-0 Samartex

* Berekum Chelsea 2-1 Medeama SC

* Hearts of Oak 0-0 Karela United

League table after MD 31

It was supposed to be a three-team race, but Hearts of Oak failed to beat Karela at home, and the results look to have ended their slim bid for the title for the first time since 2021. The Ghana Premier League has proven to be a very open competition because no one can slap their chest and say, “I am the dominant force in recent seasons.”

The GPL has had five different winners in the last five seasons.

Last 5 winners of the GPL

Chances of the competing teams

Medeama SC

With Salim Adams hitting top form at this crucial moment, it is looking increasingly likely that the Mauve and Yellow will win the battle. Medeama should have wrapped up the title long ago, but suddenly lost form. With three games left in the season, Ibrahim Tanko’s charges are fully aware of the challenge, especially after losing 2-1 at Chelsea. With two points ahead of Gold Stars, Medeama will play two games away from home, having failed to win any of their last five.

Medeama’s remaining fixtures

• Medeama v Holy Stars (Away)
• Medeama v Heart of Lions (Home)
• Medeama v Hearts of Oak (Away)

Bibiani Gold Stars

Bibiani Gold Stars are the defending champions and will stand a greater chance of defending their title if they can win their last two games if the table toppers bottle it. The Miners’ troubles have come from their horrible away performances, where they have lost the last four. Title challengers at least win away games at the end of the season, and Gold Stars will have to quadruple their efforts in their last away game of the season against the most in-form team, Dreams FC. The Still Believe are in the form of their lives, making the fixture a difficult one for Gold Stars. A defeat could eliminate them from the race.

Bibiani Gold Stars’ remaining fixtures

• Gold Stars v Dreams (Away)
• Gold Stars v Eleven Wonders (Home)

Accra Hearts of Oak

Phobia blew their chances after the dull goalless draw on Wednesday against Karela United. Phobia knew a win could have helped them close the gap on the top two. The away performances of Medeama and Gold Stars are so horrible; whoever wants to challenge them must take advantage of home matches when one of them is playing an away game. The draw against Karela looks to have ended Hearts of Oak’s dream completely because they are now six and four points respectively behind Medeama and Gold Stars.

Phobia’s remaining fixtures

• Hearts of Oak v Aduana (Home)
• Hearts of Oak v Samartex (Away)
• Hearts of Oak v Medeama (Home)

Who has the chance to win it?

Mathematically, all three competing teams have a chance, but Medeama looks the sure bet because they are leading the table. Just win all your games and be crowned the champions without needing any results from anyone; that’s Medeama’s business now. Gold Stars’ chances are slim simply because even if they win their two remaining games, they will need results from other games to favour them. Hearts of Oak look completely out because they will only win if the top two sides collapse completely in the run-in, which is highly impossible.

My Prediction: Medeama to win the GPL title