Bibiani Gold Stars Launch Title Defence with 2-1 Victory Over Bechem United
Bibiani, September 14, 2025 – Reigning champions Bibiani Gold Stars kicked off their 2025/26 Ghana Premier League title defence with a statement 2-1 win over Bechem United at the fortress-like Dun’s Park, thanks to a clinical brace of penalty conversions from Samuel Atta Kumi in the opening quarter-hour. The Miners, who clinched their maiden crown last season with a commanding 4-0 finale against Accra Lions, showed no signs of rust, dominating early proceedings before withstanding a spirited Bechem fightback sparked by Dalvin Yeboah's towering header.
The afternoon clash unfolded under a baking Bibiani sun, with a buoyant home crowd—still basking in the glory of last term's 12 home wins from 17—creating an electric atmosphere from kickoff. Coach Yaw Frimpong Manso, whose side has never tasted defeat to Bechem on this turf since their 2021 promotion, opted for a high-pressing setup, and it paid immediate dividends. Just four minutes in, Bechem's defense was caught napping as Kumi was upended in the box by a rash challenge from central defender Isaac Baba Moro. The 25-year-old forward, and captain, a revelation in last season's title run, dusted himself off and slotted the spot-kick low and hard past Bechem keeper Benjamin Aseidu Kwesi, sending the stands into raptures and giving Gold Stars a dream start.
The Hunters, under the watchful eye of confident head coach Stephen Desmond-Issah Botchway—who had predicted a strong showing pre-match—were shell-shocked but barely had time to regroup. In the 15th minute, another foray forward saw Kumi felled again. Referee Yao Bless pointed to the spot without hesitation, and Kumi repeated his earlier composure, rifling home into the same corner to make it 2-0. Gold Stars had 6 shots by full-time, with these two penalties underscoring their ruthless edge in the final third.
Botchway's men, who finished 10th last term with 47 points, absorbed the early blitz and began to probe with more intent through silky dribbles and crosses from wing-back Foster Sakitey. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute, mere seconds after Kumi's double strike had threatened to deflate the visitors. Sakitey, overlapping with purpose down the right, whipped in a pinpoint cross that begged to be attacked. Yeboah, the towering centre-forward, rose highest amid a cluster of defenders to plant a bullet header beyond Gold Stars stopper Emmanuel Kobi, halving the deficit and injecting life into a contest that had teetered on one-way traffic.
The remainder of the half saw Gold Stars regain control, pulling strings and forcing a fingertip save from a curling free-kick. Bechem, managing just two shots on target all game, relied on grit and organization to keep the scoreline respectable, but their lack of penetration—evident in last season's mid-table finish—limited their threats.
Halftime arrived with the Miners leading comfortably, the crowd chanting Kumi's name in appreciation of his ice-cool finishing. The second period brought a more cagey affair, with both sides trading possession but failing to muster clear-cut chances. Gold Stars introduced fresh legs in attack with a triple substitution, Emmanuel Fosu Kyei, Emmanuel Agyei and Edward Agyemang coming on for Samuel Acheampong, Emmanuel Kantor and Michael Nkoah to protect their lead, while Bechem pushed forward sporadically—Yaw Acheapong who came on for Augustine Afraine Mensah for the visitors, mazy his run in the 68th minute, forcing a hurried clearance. A late surge from the Hunters, including a disallowed goal for offside, tested the hosts' resolve, but Manso's backline, and stood firm to preserve their three points. This victory extends Gold Stars' unbeaten home record against Bechem and positions them among the early frontrunners, alongside Medeama and Nations FC on three points apiece.
Kumi, named Man of the Match, reflected post-game: "These penalties were for the fans who've waited so long for this success—now we defend it together." Manso echoed the sentiment, praising his side's clinical start: "Two early goals set the tone, but Dalvin's header reminded us no game's won until the end."For Bechem, it's a frustrating opening despite the promise shown in Yeboah's response, as they eye a quick rebound against Basake Holy Stars on Matchday 2.
Gold Stars, meanwhile, turn their attention to a daunting CAF Champions League preliminary against JS Kabylie in Algeria next week, where retaining domestic form will be key to their continental dreams. In the end, at Dun’s Park, the Miners mined gold once more—two penalties to glory, a header in reply, but a title defence that's off to a glittering start.
By: Felix Romark