A resounding 4-0 thrashing of Accra Lions at a jubilant Duns Park yesterday sealed the triumph and cemented one of the most remarkable title runs in recent memory.

Just three years after entering Ghana’s top-flight, the Gold Stars scripted a Cinderella ending, not only lifting the trophy in style but also maintaining the Western Region’s stronghold on the league.

Their triumph follows back-to-back titles by Medeama SC and FC Samartex 1996, cementing the region’s status as Ghana football’s new power centre.

From underdogs to undisputed champions, Gold Stars’ rise has captured the hearts of football lovers nationwide. The victory not only crowned them kings of Ghanaian football but also condemned their Accra opponents to relegation -—just a year after the Lions finished runners-up.

In front of a raucous home crowd, Abdul Farouk Amoaful set the tone with a fourth-minute opener that sent fans into delirium. Kelvin Oppong added a second in the 19th minute, laying the groundwork for a coronation.

The party reached fever pitch in the second half with goals from Samuel Kumi (73rd minute) and Frank Amankwah (90th), sparking wild scenes as GoldStars clinched the title by a three-point margin.

“This is the stuff of dreams,” said one emotional fan. “From obscurity to champions in just three seasons—Gold Stars have made us believe anything is possible.”

While the atmosphere in Bibiani was euphoric, it was heartbreak for Accra Lions, whose rollercoaster season ended in disaster. Their 15th-place finish sealed their relegation, a stunning fall from grace after last season’s title-chasing campaign.

There was further drama at the top as Nations FC, who had led the title race heading into the final round, stumbled with a shock 2-0 home defeat to third-placed Heart of Lions. Goals from Samuel Boamah Quansah  and Asante Sedorf handed the visitors a deserved win, leaving Nations to rue their missed opportunity.

They now await a judicial ruling but must settle for second place for now.

Asante Kotoko suffered a 3-1 defeat to Vision FC. An early own goal from Lord Xorse Kudzinya gave Kotoko the lead, but a brace from Frank Duku and a strike from Edmund Asante turned the tide for the home side at the Nii Kraku Adjei II Sports Complex, Tema.

Hearts, however, signed off with a narrow but historic 1-0 win over dethroned champions FC Samartex 1996 at the Accra Sports Stadium, thanks to a Konadu Yiadom goal in the 57th minute—their first-ever league win over Samartex in Accra. Still, they finished fifth, narrowly behind their bitter rivals.

Former champions Medeama SC wrapped up a forgettable campaign with a 2-1 home loss to Berekum Chelsea. Vincent Klu Adjei opened the scoring for the visitors, Kingsley Braye equalised for Medeama, but Kofi Ansu Patrick, a former Medeama player, struck late to secure Chelsea's win. Medeama finished eighth; Chelsea 12th.

Aduana FC ended on a high with a convincing 3-1 win over Basake Holy Stars, who had already secured their survival. Goals from Richard Tetteh, Emmanuel Marfo, and a late penalty by Alex Boakye ensured Aduana signed off with style. Francis Obeng scored the equaliser for Holy Stars before the second-half collapse.

Dreams FC were in ruthless mood as they hammered already-relegated Legon Cities 4-1. Jonathan Nemorden bagged a brace, while Joseph Esso and Suraj Seidu also found the net. Albert Adomah scored a late consolation for the Royals, whose fate had already been sealed.

At the Nana Gyeabour Park, Bechem United edged out Young Apostles 1-0 through a second-half penalty by Baba Moro Abdulai. Despite the loss, Apostles—playing in their debut Premier League campaign—did enough to avoid the drop, capping a commendable first season at the top level.