2024/25 GPL: Accra Lions relegated following defeat to Dreams FC – Nsemkeka
Accra Lions were relegated from the Ghana Premier League on Sunday after a 2-0 loss to Dreams FC in their final home fixture of the season at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The hosts started brightly and dominated the early exchanges. In the 10th minute, Fuzy Taylor delivered a dangerous cross into the area, but it narrowly missed a finishing touch.
A minute later, Lucky Nwafor’s header from another Taylor delivery struck the crossbar.
The Lions continued to press, and in the 41st minute, Edmond Amakye’s long-range effort forced a crucial save from the Dreams FC goalkeeper.
Controversy erupted in the 27th minute when referee decisions led to yellow cards for Accra Lions’ Awoute and Setordjie following protests.
Despite the pressure from the home side, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock in the 51st minute through Razak Salifu. Yao Sokpoli nearly equalised four minutes later, but his shot also struck the woodwork.
Accra Lions made three substitutions in the 73rd minute to try and turn the game around, but Dreams FC doubled their lead in the 84th minute through Aziz Musibau to seal the result.
The defeat confirmed Accra Lions’ relegation, bringing an end to their tenure in the top flight after five years.
The club made its debut in Ghana Division One – Zone 3 in 2018 and won promotion to the Premier League in the 2020/2021 season after scoring 57 goals in 28 matches.
Striker Rauf Salifu finished as top scorer with 21 goals that season. In their debut Premier League campaign, Accra Lions quickly established themselves as a competitive side.
They concluded the 2023/2024 season as runners-up, finishing second in the league with one of the youngest squads in world football.
On matchday 7 against Bofoakwa Tano, the team fielded a starting XI with an average age of 18.09 years—a record for the Ghana Premier League.
Their relegation marks a disappointing end to a season that began with promise. The club now faces the task of regrouping in Division One with the aim of returning to the top tier.