GRi Sports 13-04-99

Lagos, Nigeria, 13th April

The Nigerian Football Association (NFA) has sacked Tunde Disu, coach of its team competing at the World Youth Cup soccer tournament. "Tunde Disu is hereby removed from the team with immediate effect," an NFA statement issued on Saturday said.

The hosts lost their final Group A game on Saturday to Paraguay 2-1, leaving them with a mathematical chance of progressing into the second round. The first two teams from the six groups and four third best teams qualify for the next stage.

The statement said national team coach Dutchman Thijs Libregts would take over the youth team if it proceeded further in the tournament. "Libregts's appointment is immediate and he will oversee all aspects of the team should Nigeria proceed to the second round."

Disu is the first coaching casualty of the tournament.

Accra (Greater Accra), 12 April, Results of the seventh-week ABC

Golden Lager premier football league matches played on Sunday. 

Accra: Hearts...Two (2) Faisal...Two (2)

Kumasi: Kotoko...Three (3) Bofoakwa...One (1)

Obuasi: Goldfields...One (1) Olympics...Nil (0)

Sekondi: Hasaacas...Two (2) Dawu...Nil (0)

Swedru: Dwarfs...Two (2) RTU...Three (3)

Nkawkaw: Okwawu...Nil (0) Ghapoha...Nil (0)

Koforidua: Power...One (1) All Blacks...One (1)

Tema: Afienya...Nil (0) Liberty...One (1)

Accra (Greater Accra), 12th April 

Accra Hearts of Oak twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with visiting King Faisal in their seventh week ABC Golden Lager Premier football league match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Hearts kicked off after a minute's silence had been observed for Samuel Tettey-Annan, a 16-year-old ball boy at the Accra Sports Stadium, who died yesterday after a short illness.

But it was the visitors, who stunned the homesters with a second-minute goal through Massaudu Yahaya who nodded home the opener from left winger Adamu Moro Tigana's cross.

Hearts repulsed the challenge but had to wait till the 16th minute for a curling shot from midfielder Charles Allotey to cancel the lead.

Right winger Ishmael Addo, who was the brain behind Allotey's goal, had two golden opportunities in front of goal to put his side ahead in the 23rd and 27th minutes but he wasted both chances.

In the 43rd minute, Hearts' goalie James Nanor pulled off a dramatic safe when he parried into play a long range shot from Faisal's Joe Louis but Tigana hit beneath the cross bar from the rebound and the ball was cleared to safety.

The visitors were a delight to watch in the second half, forcing the Phobians to chase their shadows.

Hearts brought on Ben Acquaah and Mark Otoo in the 57th and 63rd minutes to strengthen the midfield while Tigana went out for Joe Agyeman for Faisal in the 61st minute.

The changes favoured Faisal, who scored their second goal in the 71st minute through Louis. He intercepted a through pass and rounded up goalkeeper Nanor before planting the ball into the empty net.

Just after the goal, Hearts brought on Yaw Sakyi for striker Osumanu, and he fetched the equaliser for his side from a spot kick 14 minutes later.

Kumasi: Kumasi Asante Kotoko scored a not-too-impressive 3-1 victory over Bofoakwa Tano in their match played at the Kumasi Sports Stadium last Sunday.

Alhough Kotoko won, it was the youthful Bofoakwa side who thrilled the fairly large crowd with free-flowing football and exposed the rough edges of Kotoko.

Inside right Ali Babangida, who was as slippery as an eel, ran through the sloppy Kotoko defence with nonchalant ease but his colleague strikers frittered away the numerous chances he created.

Kotoko, hit by goal famine and reverses in recent times, took the field with confidence in their all-red attire and scored one of the fastest goals so far recorded at the stadium.

After Bofoakwa had kicked-off, Kotoko seized the initiative as Prince Adu-Poku dashed along the left and crossed the ball onto the path of right winger Ernest Boateng to scored under a minute.

Surprisingly, Kotoko recoiled into their shells after the brilliant take-off, allowing Bofoakwa to level up in the eighth minute when inside right Ali Babangida beat goalkeeper Constant Mantey in a swift-counter attack.

From then on, Bofoakwa bombarded the goal-area of Kotoko whose midfield had broken down completely.

Hearts former player, Nicholas Addo restored Kotoko's lead when he strolled through the middle in the 26th minute and fired a low shot which beat goalkeeper Losina Ahmed.

Bofoakwa were still in control after resumption as Kotoko could not string their game together and had to wait until the 78th minute when Ernest Boateng scored the third goal to ensure victory for his side.

Tema: Afienya United's hunt for their first victory in this year's premier league was shattered as they lost 0-1 to newly-promoted Liberty Professionals in their match played at the Tema Sports Stadium.

Playing as if possessed, Liberty took control of the game after Afienya had dominated the game in the early stages and deservedly snatched the leader through centre forward Derek Boateng in the 17th minute.

Afienya quickly substituted goalkeeper David Sharpe with Joe Anyagre after the goal to strengthen the defence.

Afienya's centre forward Ablade Morgan nearly equalised for them but he messed up a golden chance in the 20th minute. Afienya, who dominated the exchanges after the break, failed to redeem the goal as the defence of Liberty, pivoted around Mark Edusei, Samuel Lamptey and goalkeeper Louis Quainoo thwarted all their efforts at goal.

Nkawkaw: Visiting Tema-based Ghapoha Readers held Okwawu United to 0-0 draw in their match played at the Nkawkaw park.

Ghapoha, who played a well-organised game, kicked off and wasted a free kick in the 10th minute. Ghapoha sent in Andrew Pomayi for Bortey in the 58th minute while Okwawu brought Suley Aweh and Emmanuel Adam for left full back Ebenezar Kortey and Richard Addo in the 59th and 65th respectively. But the changes could not alter the score line.

The visitors=92 brightest moment came in the 78th minute but inside left Bernard Bortey, after beating three defenders of Okwawu on the trot, sent a pass to centre forward Adolf Mensah who headed off target from close range.

Obuasi: Obuasi Goldfields put their four successive defeats behind them when they beat Accra Great Olympics 1-0 in their match at the Len Clay Stadium.

The only goal was scored in the 69th minute through centre forward Issah Mohammed.

Goldfields, playing in an all-red outfit would have recorded a heavy victory over Oly but they wasted several scoring chances to the dismay of their fans.

Right winger Lawrence Adjei was the first player to throw away a good chance in the ninth minute.

Issah Mohammed also wasted a begging chance as he failed to connect a beautiful pass from Lawrence Adjei in the 34th minute.

At the Gyandu Park, Sekondi Hasaacas dismissed Dawu Youngsters 2-0 and Real Tamale United scored a 3-2 away win over "Ebusua" Dwarfs at Agona Swedru while Power F/C and All Blacks settled for a 1-1 draw at Koforidua.

Accra (Greater Accra),12th April 

Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs still top the 16-club ABC Golden Lager Premier football league table after Sunday's matches.

 *Three points were deducted from Kotoko for failing to honour their league match against Ebusua Dwarfs at the beginning of the season.