Sports
A final determined by Adaari?
Analysing an Asante Kotoko goal or penalty with a Phobian lense. It would surely be an exercise in futility. This is because no explanation would sound convincing to a Phobian.
That is an apt description of the scene witnessed after a controversial penalty was awarded Asante Kotoko late in their MTN FA Cup win over Division One League (DOL) side, Golden Kick last Sunday.
That is not to say that fans of the Oak tree are not reasonable, no, far from that; but followers of the game in Ghana would appreciate this analogy, owing to the huge rivalry that exists between them.
Let it also be on record that a few Red fans also expressed reservations over the decision.
Surrounded by numerous Golden Kick fans most of whom were genuine supporters of Hearts of Oak, bitter rivals of Asante Kotoko, referee Latif Abdul Adaari’s decision generated so much debates between them and the Reds faithful.
Interestingly, supporters put up sound arguments with different angles of the action that led to the penalty. Some shared the same videos but saw them differently.
But without a Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Adaari’s decision stood and Kotoko smiled home with a 10th FA Cup victory.
Had there been a VAR intervention, leading to a review and subsequent overturn of the decision, Kotoko fans would have definitely been up in arms, protesting vehemently like the Golden Kick disguised fans did.
But that is the beauty of football; momentarily dividing and the next moment uniting.
But for the controversy which is ongoing, Sunday’s game was by far the finest in the FA Cup finals witnessed in the last decade.
Kotoko were overwhelming favourites and Golden Kick massive underdogs.
However, the winners would be the first to admit that they were involved in a game of their lives.
Coach Karim Zito did not hide this fact. In a post-match interview, he stated “I am not surprised at all. I actually predicted it because it would have been better and more comfortable with a top division side. This is a DOL side with nothing to lose. Getting to the finals of the FA Cup is already an achievement. Playing Kotoko is another motivation. They have nothing to lose but have all to gain if they win.”
But in celebrating Kotoko, it is equally important to commend the effort of the Golden Kick side for their gallantry.
They proved that the class between the GPL and DOL is only vast on paper but slender on the pitch.
The likes of Kelvin Kofi Saaba, Roland Gripman, Owusu Dacosta, Paul Yeboah, Abdulai Zakari and Bless Ege clearly outshone their more experienced Kotoko stars.
Their pace, athleticism, control, dexterity and composure were superb, forcing the Porcupine Warriors to be unnecessarily physical to contain them.
While brooding over a lost opportunity to lay hand on a major silverware, Coach Fiifi Parker Hanson should feel worthy about the good work he is doing with this young generation of talents.
\He may have been undone by a contentious decision but what was seen from his charges will remain in the memory of football fans for a long time.
But the debate as to whether Adaari’s call was precise or erroneous would continue for a long time without answer
By Andrew Nortey
Ghana Premier League side, Nations FC, may have suffered the drop in the just ended Premier League and are destined for a fresh campaign in the Division One League (DOL).
But they stand a huge chance of remaining in the elite stage of the game as they face Dreams FC in an epic MTN FA Cup final at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow at 6pm.
Dreams FC have been there before; going ahead to taste the honours in the 2022-23 season after defeating King Faisal.
Coming from a season that saw them crawl from the initial stages of the league to finish on a respectable fourth position, they come in as strong favourites to double their honours in the nation’s second top football competition.
History favours them in this regard. On their first final, they conquered and based on this, connoisseurs of the game have tipped them to make it ‘two-on-two.’
But Nations FC have been empowered by the age-old adage that “He that is down need fear no fall.”
Nothing can be worse than suffering relegation and exiting the limelight as far as exposure is concerned.
But the FA offers a decent opportunity to make them stay relevant.
Conquering Dreams FC would not just make them MTN FA Cup champions. It will grant them the prestigious slot to represent Ghana in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) second tier club competition- the Confederations Cup.
With Dreams FC harbouring the same ambitions, the stage is, therefore, set for a final that promises to be explosive and uncompromising.
The situation of Nations FC might have come to many as a surprise, considering their promising start to the season, with their defence especially, marshalled by Black Stars defender, Razak Simpson, and colleague central defender, Raymond Grippman, earning a lot of reviews.
But despite the struggles they endured at certain times of their campaign, the MTN FA Cup always provided slices of good fortunes as they managed to navigate their way to the final.
Road to the top
Nations FC began the MTN FA Cup competition on a promising note, enjoying some good runs with a win over DOL Zone Two side, Ebony FC, in the Round of 64.
That landed them in a tricky encounter with another high-flying Zone Two candidate, AshantiGold SC, a side that eventually won the title from the zone to qualify to the Premier League, but escaped.
At the round of 16 stage, they encountered and defeated Ghana Premier League side, Swedru All Blacks, 2-1 to gain progression to the quarter final stage where they edged Berekum Chelsea on penalties.
A dicey semi-final awaited them against Aduana FC in Swedru. It was a game Nations was given little chance to escape considering Aduana FC’s form but once again, they conquered to secure a final berth.
In total, the Abrankese-based club have scored eight goals and conceded only two throughout the competition, making them one of the strongest defensive sides in the tournament.
For Dreams FC, they defeated Division One League Zone Three side, Semper Fi, 2-1 to progress to the next stage of the competition where they accounted for Division Two side, Asanska FC, 2-0.
That handed them a quarterfinal berth where they faced Inter Allies and drew one all before winning 4-3 on penalties.
The happiest moment in their success story was a 3-2 semi-final win over GPL winners, Medeama SC.
With that feat, Dreams have been touted as potential winners as the match comes at a time the Nations FC side may be psychologically down over the weight of the challenge they face in the next season.
However, the competition has gain notoriety for not following any form guide and outcomes mostly coming as major surprises.
In this regard, Dreams may be tipped as favourite candidates but though Nations are wounded, the stakes could revive an insatiable desire to apply the brakes to turn the dreams of Dreams FC into a nightmare.
Support
The support from MTN Ghana has no doubt improved competition among the clubs with the attractive incentive packages for participating clubs.
MTN Ghana, which is celebrating 30 years of operations in Ghana, formally became headline sponsors of the Ghana FA Cup in the 2010/2011 football season after the competition had returned from an eight-year hiatus.
The first edition under MTN sponsorship was won by Nania FC, who defeated Asante Kotoko 1–0 in the final at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Since then, the competition has been known as the MTN FA Cup, with MTN renewing its sponsorship several times — in 2013, 2017, 2020 and again for subsequent seasons.
By Andrew Nortey
The Black Stars have opened camp in Cardiff ahead of next week’s international friendly against Wales.
The team is being taken through training drills by head coach Carlos Queiroz.
Thirteen players trained at Dragon Park on Monday, with others expected to join the squad on Tuesday.
They include Ernest Nuamah, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jordan Ayew, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Elisha Owusu, Gideon Mensah, Marvin Senaya, Jerome Opoku, Benjamin Asare, Joseph Anang, Solomon Agbasi, and Alidu Seidu.
The Black Stars will train in Cardiff for one week ahead of the international friendly against Wales on Tuesday, June 2, before traveling to the United States of America.
Coach Carlos Queiroz will use the period to assess his players before naming his final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Twenty-six players will be submitted to FIFA on Monday, June 1, as mandated by the competition regulations.
The Black Stars are drawn in Group L with Panama, England, and Croatia. They will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before facing England and Croatia in their other group matches.
