Rospak SC head coach, Chris Baffour, discusses his team's performance in the just-ended 2024/25 Access Bank Division One League, his journey so far, and what next season looks like for the Western Region-based team.

For many ardent followers and loyalists of Ghana's second-tier football, the Division One League deserves the "toughest league" tagline.

This assertion is based on numerous factors, including the quality of play and the difficulty of qualifying for the Ghana Premier League (GPL). Coach  Baffour, given his current stint with Medeama's youth side, Rospak FC in Zone 3, can attest to this. "It's really tough out there, but we've maintained our discipline on the field,"  the former Scotland's Fort William FC manager explained.

Rospak SC late call paid off

Coach Baffour's initial stint as Rospak Sporting Club's head coach in the 2023/24 season was a surprise, given the short timeframe – just 10 games left. The UEFA B License holder's expertise was urgently needed, and the club's handlers couldn't wait until the next season.

"I had to step in as head coach when the season was almost over, with 10 matches to go," he explained. "Despite the short notice, it was a great experience. We finished seventh, five places better than when I took over. We scored a good number of goals, but I knew we needed improvement if we were to make a lasting impact. The team took some time to adjust to my playing philosophy, but overall, it was a wonderful experience coaching a Division One club, even if only for a short period."

A season worth remembering

The Swedru All Blacks' Division One Zone 3 triumph story, marking their return to the Ghana Premier League after 15 years, is somewhat incomplete without acknowledging the impressive performance of second-place Rospak SC. Rospak pushed Swedru All Blacks hard throughout the season, ultimately finishing seven points behind.

According to Coach  Baffour, Rospak's achievement is worth celebrating, despite not securing promotion. "I think our success in the Zone hasn't been well spoken about enough due to the emotions surrounding Swedru All Blacks' qualification, and it's understandable. They've experienced it before, and taking them 15 years to return to the premiership was remarkable. They deserve all the plaudits."

However, Coach Baffour is proud of his team's performance: "But to be fair, I'm really proud of my boys. 59 points, 50 goals, and 19 wins weren't easy to achieve. The pre-season gave me a good opportunity to study the squad and get them playing the way I envisioned." One key lesson from the season was Rospak's struggles with away form, particularly failing to capitalize on Swedru All Blacks' losses. "It's a big lesson we've all learned this season.

Every decision matters in the title challenge, and whether I stay or not, this vital nugget will remain with me and the technical team."

The future: contract talks will remain the key

With Coach Baffour's contract set to expire by the end of July, his future with Rospak SC hangs in the balance. Impending contract extension talks will determine his tenure, but anonymous sources suggest these talks are complicated by interest from other clubs. As the Ghana U-20 assistant coach and Black Stars video analyst, his continuation in Tarkwa is uncertain.

Yet, despite the uncertainty, he remains confident about the team's direction: "I came in with a simple task set before me by management  – to play good football, scout and train players for Medeama SC and the European market. I've fulfilled those obligations, and I'm proud of that.

"If I stay, I know what's expected of me." Regardless of his future, his experience and expertise have undoubtedly shaped the team's direction.