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WPL 2025/26: Army Ladies and Jonina Ladies Falter as Hasaacas Ladies Close the Gap

Date: January 19, 2026 | Category: Sports, Ghana Women’s Premier League

Introduction

The Ghana Women’s Premier League (WPL) Southern Zone has entered a pivotal phase in the 2025/26 season, where every matchday significantly alters the title race dynamics. In a weekend defined by upsets, tactical stalemates, and narrow victories, the hierarchy at the top of the table has been shaken. The most significant storyline is the faltering of the league leaders, Army Ladies, and their closest rivals, Jonina Ladies. Meanwhile, the ever-consistent Hasaacas Ladies capitalized on these slip-ups with a crucial victory over Oak Ladies, breathing new life into their championship aspirations. This comprehensive analysis breaks down the matchday 10 results, examines the shifting standings, and offers a tactical breakdown of what these outcomes mean for the remainder of the season.

Key Points

Background

The 2025/26 Ghana Women’s Premier League season has been characterized by intense competition, particularly in the Southern Zone. The league, organized by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), serves as the primary feeder for the Black Queens, the national team. Consequently, the standard of play has risen, with tactical discipline becoming as important as individual brilliance.

Entering Matchday 10, Army Ladies had established themselves as the team to beat, sitting comfortably at the summit. Jonina Ladies followed closely, breathing down their necks and maintaining pressure with a string of consistent performances. Hasaacas Ladies, a team with a rich history in the women’s game, remained the dark horses—always threatening but needing a run of form to truly challenge the top two.

The weekend fixtures presented a test of character for these front-runners. Army Ladies hosted Epiphany Warriors, a fixture viewed by many as a potential three-point haul for the leaders. Jonina Ladies faced Soccer Intellectuals, a match that required patience and tactical breaking of a low block. Meanwhile, Hasaacas Ladies traveled (or hosted) with the objective of securing maximum points against Oak Ladies to maintain relevance in the title conversation.

Analysis: Matchday 10 Breakdown

The Top of the Table Shake-Up

The defining narrative of this matchday is the consolidation of the chasing pack. In league football, consistency is the hallmark of champions. However, when the leaders falter, the pressure shifts to those in pursuit. Army Ladies’ 1-0 loss to the Epiphany Warriors is a classic example of a “banana skin” fixture. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, the inability to convert opportunities left them vulnerable to a counter-attacking side. This loss halts their momentum and opens the door for their challengers.

Jonina Ladies’ 0-0 draw against Soccer Intellectuals is perhaps equally damaging, albeit in a different psychological sense. A draw is not a loss, but in a tight title race where goal difference (GD) and points accumulation are paramount, dropping two points at home or against a lower-ranked side can be decisive at the end of the season. The inability to break down a resilient defense suggests a need for tactical versatility in the final third.

Hasaacas Ladies: The Beneficiaries

While Army and Jonina struggled, Hasaacas Ladies showed the composure of a seasoned side. Their 1-0 victory over Oak Ladies, secured through a goal by Abiba Issah, highlights a crucial trait: efficiency. Scoring in her second consecutive game, Issah is emerging as a key figure for the Hasmal Ladies. A 1-0 win, while narrow, is often more valuable to a title contender than a high-scoring draw. It demonstrates defensive solidity and the ability to grind out results.

By securing the three points, Hasaacas Ladies have engineered a mathematical shift in the standings. They have moved to within two points of Army Ladies and are just one point behind Jonina Ladies. This compression at the top turns the Southern Zone into a three-horse race, significantly increasing the stakes for upcoming fixtures.

Mid-Table and Lower-Table Dynamics

Further down the table, the results have implications for relegation avoidance and mid-table respectability. LadyStrikers recorded a 1-0 victory over Samartex Ladies, a result that boosts their standing while exacerbating the struggles of Samartex. For Samartex, the start of the second round has been difficult, and they will need to address their offensive output to climb out of the danger zone.

Additionally, Police Ladies secured a crucial away win against Halifax Queens. Winning on the road is always a challenge, and for Police Ladies, this three-point haul is a step toward stability. For Halifax Queens, who remain at the bottom of the table, the situation is becoming increasingly precarious. They must start turning draws into wins soon to avoid being cut adrift.

Practical Advice for Teams and Fans

For Army Ladies: Reset and Refocus

After a shock defeat, the immediate priority for Army Ladies is psychological recovery. The coaching staff must focus on video analysis of the loss to Epiphany Warriors to identify tactical errors. Key advice:

• Defensive Discipline: Ensure that concentration remains high until the final whistle, as one goal was the difference.
• Attacking Efficiency: Improve conversion rates in the final third. Creating chances is good, but finishing them is essential.
• Fixture Management: The next few games are critical to re-establishing a lead at the top.

For Hasaacas Ladies: Maintain Momentum

Hasaacas Ladies are currently the form team in the top three. To capitalize on this:

• Leverage the Scorer: Abiba Issah is in form; the team should continue to feed her service to maintain her goal-scoring streak.
• Defensive Solidity: Keeping clean sheets is what brought them back into contention. They must continue to prioritize defensive organization.

For Fans and Stakeholders

For fans of the Ghana Women’s Premier League, this season is proving to be one of the most competitive in recent years. The gap between the top teams and the rest is narrowing. Fans should expect a tense finish to the season. Attendance at home games and support on social media platforms can provide the necessary morale boost for these athletes.

FAQ

Conclusion

Matchday 10 of the 2025/26 Ghana Women’s Premier League Southern Zone has reshaped the title race. The stumbles of Army Ladies and Jonina Ladies have allowed Hasaacas Ladies to inject a fresh dose of uncertainty into the championship pursuit. With Hasaacas now breathing down the necks of the top two, the upcoming fixtures will be defined by pressure management and tactical execution. As the season progresses, the resilience of Army Ladies to bounce back, the consistency of Jonina Ladies to avoid further slip-ups, and the momentum of Hasaacas Ladies will be the three defining narratives to watch. The race for the WPL crown is officially wide open.

Sources

• Ghana Football Association (GFA): Official match reports and league standings.
• Life Pulse Daily: Original match report on WPL 2025/26 Matchday 10 results.
• Local Sports Media: Coverage of Hasaacas Ladies and Abiba Issah’s performance.