Asante Kotoko claimed their first Premier League title since 2014 after a 1-1 win stalemate with Ashantigold on last week Thursday at the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium.
They wrapped up the championship with three games to spare. Whilst arguments can be had over who would be relegated, or finish top 4, no such arguments could have been had over who would be Premier League champions.
The Porcupine Warriors are worthy champions. And here are three reasons why.
1. Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum
However polarising he may be, as a manager, his feat with Kotoko permits him to be spoken as one of the best managers in the elite division.
He inherited a listless and a disjointed squad which needed some major improvements to turn it into a winning one. In that respect, he was keen to stress the shortcomings in the squad and dismiss title talk. All the while protecting his players from pressure exerted by the media.
In interviews and press conferences, he highlighted the need for patience as he embarked on a new project. He dampened expectations by explaining the intricacies of the project, building a strong relationship with fans that allowed for gradual improvements to be made without the instant pressure of results.
2. Signings Fit For Purpose
Following their second place last season, the feeling around many pundits and commentators was that all that Ogum's team required to capture the title was a prolific striker.
He heeded the call and brought in Cameroonian duo of Franck Etouga Mbella and Georges Mfegue. Samuel Boateng was also snapped from lowly Future Stars Academy.
Mfegue's physicality perfectly dovetailed with the technical skill of Mbella, giving them another dimension in Kotoko's attack. If Mbella has been the goalscoring machine, then Ibrahim Imoro with 8 assists and Mfegue with 4 assists have been the men to provide him with the ammunition.
As with Mbella and those behind him, his attacking instincts and vast range of passing perfectly complements the more defensively minded, workmanlike partner.
Alongside the showpiece signings of Mbella and Mfegue, other signings such as Richard Boadu, Richmond Lamptey, Mohammed Sheriff, and of Augustine Agyapong aren't going to make as much headlines. But, what they fulfil is a role that makes them fit for purpose and helps to solidify the immense strength in depth that the Kotoko squad has.
3. Field players in their best – or at least correct – positions
There were many reasons why Mariano Barreto's tenure felt aimless and many strange tactical decisions that suggested he was out of ideas, but chief among them was his odd team selections.
This first point was easy enough to fix: Ogum avoided the pitfall of putting square pegs in round holes, and no more shoving as many forwards onto the pitch as possible.
Kotoko needed basic organisation and a clear strategy, something that Ogum worked towards. His WAFA team were consistent in playing short-passing aesthetic football and same was replicated at Kotoko for most part of their title winning season.
