Ghana Premier League: Ibrahim Tanko relieved after vital GoldStars victory

Medeama SC tightened their grip on the summit of the Ghana Premier League table following a decisive 2-0 victory over defending champions GoldStars on Sunday, with coach Ibrahim Tanko a relieved man.

The Mauve and Yellow relied on a clinical brace from midfielder Salim Adams at the Tarkwa TnA Park to extend their lead to five points above the holders. In a post-match interview, Medeama head coach Ibrahim Tanko expressed a sense of relief at securing such a pivotal result.

Medeama go five points clear of GoldStars, Tanko reacts

“Of course, when you defeat a direct opponent who is right behind you on the table, it is definitely a relief,” he told the media.

“We are now five points ahead with only four games remaining, so we are looking forward with confidence. I think we desperately needed the three points today, and once you have a two-goal lead, you have to control the tempo of the game.

“Normally we want to keep scoring, but the three points are more important at this stage of the season. Definitely, the final four games are not going to be easy, but we are going to prepare very well; with so little time remaining in the league, we definitely have to fight for everything.”

The two-time Ghana FA Cup winners now sit top of the log with 56 points, while GoldStars remain in second place on 51 points after 30 matches. Despite the setback, GoldStars assistant coach Ernest Okyere insisted there were valuable lessons to be taken from the defeat.

“Football, as I always say, is a ninety-minute game, and whatever the outcome, you need to accept the result and learn from the experience,” Ernest Okyere stated. “I would say nothing went particularly badly, and my boys proved that we have indeed reformed the team, and that is what inspires me a lot moving forward.”

All 18 clubs will return to action this Wednesday for the Week 30 fixtures. These matches were previously postponed in solidarity with the family of the late Berekum Chelsea forward Dominic Frimpong, who was tragically shot dead by armed robbers.