02/06/2025
Nazir Hamzah Blogman in Opinion: It's time to abolish the home and away format in the Ghana Premier League & introduce 4 standard stadiums to play all
The Ghana Premier League (GPL), once a source of national pride, has slowly degenerated into a battleground where footballing integrity is routinely undermined by poor infrastructure, inadequate security, and partisan intimidation. It's high time we acknowledged a difficult but necessary truth: the traditional home and away format is no longer serving the best interests of Ghanaian football. Instead, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) must consider a radical but necessary reform, adopting a centralized system using four standard venues across the country.
The evidence for this shift is not just anecdotal, it's painfully visible week after week. Just recently, the entire nation was rocked by the tragic news of the stabbing and killing of Kotoko supporter, Pooley, during a match in Nsoatreman. Football is meant to be a unifier, a celebration of sport and identity, not a trigger for violence and death. That such an incident could occur in a league game is not just a stain on the local club, but an indictment of the entire system.
Only Yesterday, Nations FC boycotted their away match against Basake Holy Stars in Nzema, citing unfair officiating. This wasn’t an isolated incident, these complaints have become the rule, not the exception. Every week brings a new controversy: fans storming pitches, referees being manhandled, and clubs crying foul over intimidation and bias. These are not the hallmarks of a professional league. These are symptoms of a system that is failing.
The current format, where each of the 18 clubs plays at their respective "home" grounds, often located in rural or underdeveloped towns, has become a liability. Many of these stadiums are woefully below acceptable standards. They lack basic facilities, proper dressing rooms, clean seating, floodlights, reliable medical support, and most importantly, adequate security. The result? A toxic environment that is neither safe for players nor welcoming for traveling fans.
But it's not just about safety and infrastructure. The integrity of competition is compromised. Home teams routinely benefit from hostile atmospheres that intimidate referees and visiting players. Officials are sometimes forced to make biased decisions, fearing violent repercussions. This is not how football should be played. It robs the league of credibility and turns every away game into a psychological battle rather than a fair sporting contest.
The way forward is bold but clear: the GFA must move to a centralized system using four standard venues located in major cities, Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi. These cities have relatively better infrastructure and are more accessible for fans and teams. Rotating matches through these venues will not only ensure fairer officiating and improved security, but it will also enhance the broadcasting quality and fan experience. Sponsors are more likely to invest in a product that is well-organized, secure, and visually appealing.
Opponents of this idea may argue that it will erode local support or take the game away from the grassroots. But what is the point of “home support” if it comes at the cost of fairness, safety, and professionalism? Moreover, a centralized league doesn’t have to neglect grassroots development instead, the GFA can use regional youth leagues and cup competitions to maintain community involvement while keeping the elite league professional and standardized.
Ghanaian football is at a crossroads. We can either continue with the status quo, a system plagued with violence, intimidation, and poor infrastructure, or we can be brave enough to reimagine the league as a true professional enterprise. The future of Ghana’s footballing reputation, and the safety of everyone involved, depends on the choices we make today.
The home and away format must go. The time for change is now.
