Perhaps there is no better way to ring the curtain down on a dramatic season than for the two most consistent and dominating clubs in the league to appear in the final scene of an enthralling show.
Following a long hiatus, the Women’s Premier League resumed for the 2020/2021 season, and Ampem Darkoa and Hasaacas Ladies turned up again to assert their dominance over the league.
As the two most successful clubs in the competition, the probability of the sides advancing to the finals were as great as ever, even before the start of the season.
However, their uniqueness is just one of several themes that could serve as major highlights of the soon- to- be concluded season.
And ahead of the season finale, which comes off this Saturday, we spoke to Rosalind Amoh in an exclusive interview for a review of the 2020/21 Women’s Premier League season.
Rosalind currently serves as the deputy chairperson for the Women’s Premier League and has a vested interest in woman’s football, following her over two decades of experience as a journalist.
The WPL season review
Undoubtedly, the Women’s league is not as appreciated and patronized as the men’s competition, but it appears to have hit a real low this season.
While there are a plethora of issues contributing to this, the seeming lack of interest showed by the media (broadcast, print and online) did no good to the league’s publicity.
Majority of media personnel focused on the Premier League and occasionally relied on social media platforms such as Twitter for information on the Women’s league.
Rosalind compared this to other seasons and remarked: “Comparatively, we have not had the best, considering that in some seasons past, almost every program after week matches, provided updates, interviews and reviews of the games.
“This season, we just did not have that impact that the league was the talk of the town every Friday when matches for the weekend were being previewed.
“The media would barely mention the Women’s league in passing and it wasn’t as elaborate as they did with the men’s Premier league.
“Also because of social media, we did not have many of the media people visiting the match venues.
“We only had a dedicated few who were always following the game, but the greater part of us relied on what was provided on the social media.”
But even in the absence of the massive patronage, Ampem Darkoa Ladies and Hasaacas Ladies did not fail to live up to the standard they have set for themselves for several years.
Without invoking their previous dominance which has seen them win five Women’s Premier League trophy among themselves, their statistic for the season was quite impressive.
Ampem Darkoa were by far the better team in the Northern having topped the table with a point margin of 9 points.
In fact, they did that in style by winning 10 out of a possible 14 games while drawing 4 and losing none throughout the entire season.
Their 34 goals scored was also the best in both zones while the 11 conceded was only bettered by Hasaacas Ladies.
Saturday’s opponent, Hasaacas Ladies, although were unable to match up to the invincibility of Ampem Darkoa, were able to secure their place in the finals.
They won 10 out of their 14 games, drew 3 and lost one to Berry Ladies in the final game of the season.
It’s even more impressive to know that both clubs have also booked their place into the finals of the Women’s FA Cup for the first time and both will be eager to pick up the trophy that has always eluded them.
On their dominance this season, Rosalind had nothing but praise for the two sides.
“If you look at the trend, you can say that they have been more consistent and it is perhaps because of the structures and the quality of players and the target they have set for themselves.
“I will say that they are deserving of it.”
But of course, their success is as dependent on the genius of their coaches as it is on the quality of players.
Both Yusif Basigi and Nana Adarkwa have had an incredible impact on their respective teams for several years, and not just for this season.
On the former in particular, who spoke to us in an exclusive interview about his dedication and commitment to women’s football, Rosalind describes him as the nerve of Hasaacas Ladies.
“For me, Basigi is the nerve of Hasaacas Ladies and anytime he is not there, you feel his absence, she said.
“But my concern will be for them to ensure that they have an equally good team technical tam that can function as well as they do when Basigi is there.
“We saw it from their performance against against Berry Ladies in the final game at the Madina stadium.
“Speaking from my own experience and my length of association with women’s football and knowing those teams, you could see that, in that very game, they missed Basigi.
“When he is there, you will see his presence in their performance and so for me he is the nerve center for Hasaacas Ladies.
“He is a development coach to start with.
“He is not only training the girls but he is actually developing and unearthing them and this is evidenced by the number of players who have ‘passed through his hands’ at Hasaacas Ladies.
“You look at the players he has groomed. Sharifatu, Linda Eshun, Janet Agyir, and Jennifer Cudjoe… These are players who Basigi has groomed using Hasaacas Ladies.”
Joe Nana Adarkwa might not have an impressive CV as Basigi, but his impact on the Ampem Darkoa team, as Rosalind tells us, is nothing short of impressive.
“On Joe Nana Adarkwa, his presence has changed everything for Ampem Darkoa, she indicates.
“Until his arrival, they struggled to make an impact in the league even though they tried to unseat Fabulous Ladies.
“But when Nana Adarkwa took charge, for the past 5 seasons, you can feel his impact on the team and it has translated in their dominance and consistency.
“He is also not unearthing talents but he is also making sure that he is tapping into their natural talent.
“So from Ampem Darkoa we have Sonia Opoku who but for an injury would have dominated.
“There is a certain Priscilla Adua who has remained consistent as the top striker. There is Grace Asantewaa who was also very good and one of the most skillful midfielders we have had.
“And then when Priscila left, Ophelia came in and has impressed. These are some of the landmarks.”
With such incredible coaches at the helm, the finale is expected to be a competitive and thrilling encounter, which could be decided from the bench.
Both sides have had an effective outlet for producing goals this season.
While Ampem Darkoa have relied heavily on Ophelia who has netted 17 goals in just 14 games, Hasaacas Ladies have the likes of Veronica and Milot who have scored 9 goals each.
And Rosalind thinks that the former’s strategy could be a disadvantage to them in the game.
“Ampem Darkoa have been overly dependent on Ophelia so on occasions when she is played out and she is unable to perform, they struggle.
“If you look at the goal scoring chart for the team, the closest person to Ophelia is Tracy who scored 5 goals, which shows how reliant they are on Ophelia.
“But the situation is quite different for Hasaacas Ladies.
“For example, if they decided that they wanted Mliot Pokuaa to lead the attack, it means that she becomes the arrowhead, but there are the likes of Veronica Appiah who could chip in with some goals.
“So if Hasaacas Ladies decide to play out Ophelia, it mans that, Ampem Darkoa may struggle.”
The 2020/21 has not been a perfect season, as it has had its own challenges, particularly with patronage.
But the hope is that when the two best sides meet in the final on Saturday, they will provide a great spectacle to help end the season on a high note.