The conclusion of the 2025 GHALCA Top Four tournament at the University of Ghana Stadium on Sunday, August 24, 2025, ended in confusion and heated exchanges after Bibiani Gold Stars were crowned champions ahead of Hearts of Oak, despite both teams finishing on seven points.
In a video circulating online, members of Hearts of Oak’s technical team were seen in a fiery argument with GHALCA officials immediately after the final whistle.
The coaches and backroom staff were visibly upset, questioning why their side had been denied the trophy even though they had a superior goal difference of +3 compared to Gold Stars’ +1, and had recorded two outright wins in the tournament.
The controversy stemmed from the competition’s unique rules. Under Rule 4, any drawn game went straight to penalties, with the shootout winner earning two points and the loser one.
EXPLAINER: Why Gold Stars were awarded GHALCA Top Four trophy over Hearts of Oak
This meant Gold Stars, who drew twice but won both penalty shootouts, finished unbeaten with seven points. Hearts of Oak also amassed seven points, winning twice and losing once on penalties to Gold Stars.
According to Rule 5, when teams tie on points, GHALCA applies Ghana Premier League tiebreakers, beginning with head-to-head results. Because Gold Stars had defeated Hearts in their penalty shootout meeting, they were declared champions.
Watch the video below:
Confusion Arises as Some Hearts of Oak Technical Team Members Question Why Bibiani GoldStars are 2025 GHALCA Top 4 Champions, Despite Another Team Also Finishing with 7 Points.#HappySports pic.twitter.com/Nl640p8WRu
— Happy Sports (@HappySportsGh) August 24, 2025
FKA/MA
Meanwhile, watch videos from the 2025 Democracy Cup trophy presentation to Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin on GhanaWeb TV below:
