Sports
Hearts face Inter Allies in cracker
Accra Hearts of Oak would seek to make amends for their last-gasp 2-2 stalemate against Ashantigold on Tuesday when they face Inter Allies in an ‘Accra affair’ tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium in the Ghana Premier league (GPL).
With the league entering its third week, Coach Edward Odoom of Hearts would be focused on seeing a much sharper attack – after he lamented in post-match against Ashantigold how missed opportunities to ‘kill’ the game stung them in the end by Hans Kwofie’s late equaliser for the visitors.
Allies themselves have really sweated with the absence of skipper and lethal forward Victorien Adebayor whose 12 goals in the truncated season kept them afloat as Henrik Lehm’s side are yet to hit the back of the net in their two games this campaign.
Earlier this year in the truncated season, the ‘Phobians’ needed a late effort from defender Mohammed Alhassan to share the spoils in an enthralling encounter that ended 1-1.
With home side Allies eager for their first win and a goal, and Hearts determined to improve their conversion rate, the clash is expected to spark off fireworks with Paul Abagna leading the charge for Allies, whilst attacker Kojo Obeng Jnr will be hoping to repeat his dosage of brace on Tuesday in Phobian colours against Allies.
Elsewhere in Dormaa, Aduana Stars will welcome Bechem United to the Nana Agyemang Badu l Park in a regional derby. In the truncated league, Aduana was able to grab a point in Bechem after a barren encounter – a result the ‘Hunters’ would look to better with their talented crop of youngsters led by Hafiz Konkoni, scoring prodigy Kwabena Adu and Moro Salifu.
But in experienced forward Yakubu Mohammed, Caleb Amankwaa, Stephen Bioh, Benjamin Adjei and goalie Joe Addo, they will meet a well-drilled ‘Ogya boys’ unit who have turned their home venue into a waterloo for their opponents.
In other games, Ebusua Dwarfs will have a difficult game on their hands as they host undefeated Berekum Chelsea at the Cape Coast Stadium, whilst WAFA despite their invincibility at their Sogakope base would be wary of Yaw Acheampong’s Elmina Sharks who proved to be ‘stubborn’ on the road in the truncated league.
In Aiyanase, a rejuvenated Karela team will play their second home game on the bounce when they face Dreams FC at the reconstructed CAM Park. The two sides, both unbeaten, would tussle to keep their impressive start going with Karela favourites at their dreaded Nzema base.
At the Carl Reindorf Park in Dansoman today, Liberty Professionals will face a major test against the Techiman side, XI Wonders.
The ‘Scientific Soccer’ lads, in search of their first win, slot it out with a Wonders side primed to be the surprise package of this campaign and would need an aggressive performance from Abraham Wayo, George Ansong, Razak Boame and Samuel Amofa to overcome creative player Ibrahim Salifu-inspired Wonders outfit.
Games between Great Olympics and Asante Kotoko as well as Ashantigold and King Faisal have been rescheduled as both Kotoko and AshantiGold are engaged in continental competitions.
BY NANA BENTSI ODURO
Sports
A walk to honour memory of late Nana Kwesi Gyan-Apenteng
A rare occasion to stay away from the air-conditioned offices, screens and other work demands was presented to journalists and staff of MTN on Saturday when they hit the streets of the capital for its annual health walk.
The participants who form the MTN Media Republic walked and worked out, climaxing it with an intense aerobic session. The entire exercise lasted for close to three hours.
The exercise is held bi-yearly for members of the Republic to make time out of their hectic schedules.
Saturday’s edition had the numbers in hundreds and was dedicated to the memory of a late member of the Republic, Nana Kwesi Gyan-Apenteng, a former Editor, National Media Commission chairman and a Communication Consultant.
He was the Apagyahene of Tafo Eti in the Eastern Region.
Under a decent weather, the members walked from the MTN Ghana office near Ridge and passed through areas such as the National Theatre, Ministries Police Station, Accra Sports Stadium, State House, and Police Headquarters and back to the starting point.
In separate interviews, members welcomed the initiative and called for its sustenance while paying tribute to the late member who showed loyalty and commitment to the group’s activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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
