GRi Sports Ghana 30 - 04

Suhum Maxbees played a determined game to beat their regional rival, Kwaebibirim Stars, by a lone goal in their Star Premier League match played at the Koforidua Sports Stadium.

Maxbees who played under a massive home fans managed to score the lone goal in the 79th minute when their inside right, Asamoah Dzifa slotted the ball in a goalmouth melee.

Maxbees gave early warning of their determination to carry the day at the beginning of the match, when they mounted a sustained pressure on the defence of the Asuom boys for the first twenty minutes.

However, Kwaebibirim goalie Theodore Atsu, denied Maxbees of a goal and made some wonderful saves to the admiration of the fans.

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Hearts triumph at Obuasi

Obuasi (Ashanti Region) 30 April 2001

Obuasi Goldfields put up a vintage performance only to lose 0-1 to Accra Hearts of Oak in their Star Premier League match at the Len Clay Stadium on Sunday.

The defeat leaves Goldfields in a precarious position as they have just a point from three matches, having drawn nil-nil with Bofoakwa before their home fans and losing one nil to Kotoko in Kumasi last week.

Though the miners were very mobile and combatant they fluffed all their goal scoring chances to the anguish of their fans.

The match itself started a bit late as rains delayed the kick off.

Hearts wearing white shirts over white shorts and parading their African Clubs Championship squad took Goldfields by storm and went ahead within the first minute through Ismael Addo, who finished off a pin- point pass from Emmanuel Osei Kuffour.

Goldfields, with their pride at stake, overcame the early scare and forced a corner in the 4^th minute, but they squandered the opportunity.

Hearts, perhaps determined to erase the memory of the 5-1 defeat they suffered in Congo with a good win over Goldfields, kept their composure and nearly increased the tally in the 14th minute. Charles Taylor, however, shot wide with the goalkeeper at his mercy.

Goldfields took control and surged forward, earning three corner kicks in the 30^th, 32^nd and 45^th minutes, but they failed to score.

On resumption of the second half the homers raised the tempo of the game and threatened Hearts persistently but could not break down the visitors' rearguard.

In the 51st minute, skipper Princeton Owusu Ansah nearly scored an own goal, when his back header created some difficulty for keeper Rachid Campoare, who had to struggle to save the ball on the goal line.

Both Goldfields and Hearts made a number of changes but it failed to alter the score line.

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Dawu win at home

Dawu (Eastern Region) 30 April 2001

Dawu Youngsters came from one goal down to beat visiting Sekondi Hasaacas 3-2 to record their first victory in three-match old Star Premier League match played at Dawu.

Hasaacas took the lead in the 16th minute when in a bid to clear the ball from their goal area by a Dawu Defender, the ball went off the body of striker Mohammed Issa and deflected into the post.

Dawu took up the challenge and equalised through Sulley Baba in the 28^th minute.

Baba was on target again in the 44^th minute to head home a free kick taken from the right flank by Ibrahim Labaran.

Despite the score line, the Sekondi boys played a great game in the second half but it was Dawu who managed to score their third goal of the match through soccer "Mike Tyson" Awudu Adama in the 75^th minute.

Hasaacas managed to capture the midfield and took advantage of the weakness in the defence of Dawu during the dying minutes of the game and in the 80^th minute, Issa managed to beat his marker to reduce the score line.

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Star Premier League leading scorers

Accra (Greater Accra) 30 April 2001

Leading scorers in the Star Premier League after the third week matches played on Sunday.

3 - Issah Mohamnmed (Hassacas)

2 - Anthony Mintah (Bofoakwa), Adu Kwaku (Kaebibirem),Frank Osei (Faisal),

Asamoah Dzifa (Maxbees), Joseph Adjei (RTU) Nana Frimpong (Kotoko),

Baba Sulley, Awudu Adama (Dawu)

1 - Eric Gawu, Chibsah Yusif (King Faisal),Lawrence Adjei, Godwin Ablordey,

Shila Alhassan (Kotoko), Victor Antwi, Salifu Shaabu (Kwaebibirem)

Nana Adarkwa (Arsnals), Issa Shaibu (Maxbees), Limbambani Yedibahoma,

Kofi Debrah (liberty), Ben Kwame, Richard Andersson (Ghapoha)

Samuel Aryetey (Olympics) Kofi Apetor, Ernest Boateng,

Kwesi Kyeremanteng (Okwawu), Ishmael Addo (Hearts)

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Kotoko overwhelms Bofoakwa

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 30 April 2001

Kumasi Asante Kotoko thrashed Bofoakwa Tano 3-0 in the Star Premier League

match played at the soggy Kumasi Sports Stadium due to an earlier downpour.

The first goal of the match came in the fourth minute when Nana Frimpong connected home Godfred Yeboah's kick.

Kotoko then piled up pressure as Bofoakwa played on defensive.

In the 15^th minute however, Bofoakwa had a chance to equalise but missed the post narrowly.

In the 38^th minute, there was a move from the centre where Shilla Alhassan pounced on a loose ball and lobed it over on-rushing goalkeeper Mohammed Alhassan for the second goal for Kotoko.

Referee J.R.K. Essel from Tamale awarded a spot kick against Bofoakwa in the 51^st minute when a defender fouled Nana Frimpong in the vital area. Bofoakwa players protested and Pasco Amponsah was shown the red card for indiscipline.

When play resumed, Gordon Ablordey converted the kick to bring the scores 3-0.

The undaunted Sunyani boys fought as wounded tigers to reduce the tally but the iron-clad defence of Kotoko made up of Kwaku dua, Godfred Yeboah, Daniel Acquah and Joe Hendrich stood gallantly.

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RTU beat Ghapoha 1-0

Tamale (Northern Region) 30 April 2001

A 39^th minute strike from a non-drop shot by RTU's inside left, Joseph Adjei earned RTU the maximum three points in their Star Premier League match played against Ghapoha at the Tamale Kaladan Park on Sunday.

A header by RTU's left full back Nurudeen Wemah from a free kick found unmarked Adjei who unleashed a left-footed shot to beat Abakasi Kankani in goal for Ghapoha.

Ghapoha, who were undaunted, took up the challenge in the second half and pinned RTU to their own half but were thwarted by good defending by the home side.

Abdul-Rahman Bobby, the RTU stalwart defender organised his colleagues well and they succeeded in defending their slim lead till the end of proceedings.

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Faisal down Oly in Accra

Accra (Greater Accra) 30 April 2001

Wonder Club, Accra Great Olympics were brought down to earth after a good start in the three-week-old Star Premier League when Kumasi King Faisal beat them by a lone goal in their match at the Accra Sports Stadium.

In a drab first half, where Olympics were a shade on top of activities in the midfield combatants Kwabine Dodzie pushed the team forward but the striking pair of Emmanuel Aryetey and Dennis Odoom were found wanting in front of goal.

Against the run of play, Faisal nearly took the lead in the 17^th minute when a lose ball in the penalty area found its way to Awudu Moli but his shot was pushed to safety by goalkeeper David Sharp.

Olympics came close to registering the leader in the 25^th and 36^th minutes but the strikes of Michael Asante and Nana Eshun missed the targets.

Back from recess, Olympics increase the tempo and made several incursions into the vital area of the opponent "box" and as early as the first minute brought out a point blank save from Nicolas Opoku-Ware.

Faisal warmed themselves gradually into the game and in the 61^st minute almost scored a stunning goal as Seth Opoku pile driver from over 40 metres took a ricochet off the upright and dropped on the goal line but Hohoe-based referee J.B.K Akposu waved that game should continue.

King Faisal brought on Frank Osei and Mohammed Tijani for Eric Gawa and Awudu Moli in the 63^rd and 67^th minutes respectively to bolster its attacking machinery, which seems to have run out of ideas.

The substitutions proved decisive as with only four minutes to go Frank Osei nodded in the only goal of the match.

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Okwawu shock

Accra (Greater Accra) 30 April 2001

Okwawu United recorded their first win since the commencement of this year's Star Premier League when they whipped Liberty Professionals 3-1 in their Star Premier League match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday. Three of the goals were scored in the first half.

Okwawu who were surprisingly beaten 1-0 by debutante Maxbees last week at the Nkawkaw Park dominated play throughout, relegating their opponents who might have underrated the strength of Okwawu, to the background.

Playing a more compact game, Okwawu nearly found the net through John Maclean in the second minute but his feeble shot was saved by goalkeeper Humphrey Amoah in post for Liberty, while another attempt in the sixth minute also failed.

Persistent pressure, however, paid off when Okwawu capitalised on blunders in the Liberty defence and scored two quick goals in the 10^th and 11^th minutes through Kofi Apetor and Ernest Boateng.

Liberty, who paraded mostly new players, were demoralised by the two early goals but managed to pull a goal back through Kofi Deblah when he connected home a free kick taken by Sulley Muntari.

The tempo of the game increased with Okwawu wasting many scoring chances till

referee G. K. Manu from Kumasi whistled for the end of the first half.

On resumption, Okwawu continued with their domination, piling up more pressure on Liberty, who were completely out of the game.

Okwawu, hungry to humiliate their opponents, increased their tally in the 60^th minute through Kwesi Kyeremanteng.

Luck, however, eluded them when the referee disallowed an own goal by Liberty in the 73^rd minute.

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Five foreign-based players to beef up local squad

Accra (Greater Accra) 30 April 2001

Black Star caretaker coach Fred Osam Duodu has invited five foreign-based professional to beef up an 18-man home-based squad to prepare toward their World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone in Freetown on Saturday, May five.

The players are Emmanuel Duah, Otto Addo, Stephen Appiah, Yaw Preko and ace striker Kwame Ayew.

Two others, skipper Charles Akunnor and his deputy Samuel Osei Kuffour, though invited, would not be available.

Akunnor has been knocked down with an injury suffered three days ago while Kuffour's absence is due to a tight club scheduled.

Confirming the invitation to the GNA, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, Vice Chairman of the Ghana Football Association, who earlier told journalists that the Stars Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup dream was over, said the idea of including the foreign players was to improve on Ghana's FIFA rating and protect the country's image.

He said FIFA could sanction Ghana if it presents a "half-baked" squad simply because it has nothing to gain.

The local players expected to team-up with their foreign counterparts are Sammy Adjei, Stephen Tetteh, Amankwah Mireku, Jacob Nettey, Charles Allotey, Joe Ansah, Ishmael Addo, Osei Kuffour, Charles Taylor and Lawrence Adjah-Tetteh, all of Accra Hearts of Oak.

The rest are Nana Arhin-Duah, Isaac Boakye and Princeton Owusu-Ansah (Goldfields), Lawrence Adjei, Osei Boateng, Godfred Yeboah and Godwin Ablordey (Kotoko) and Foster Bastios of Liberty Professionals.

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Jones throws ball into the court of the GFA

Accra (Greater Accra) 30 April 2001

"Sir" Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, deposed coach of the senior national team, Black Stars, said in Accra that it is up to the Ghana Football Association to either pay his 5,000 monthly salary for four months and other benefits or go to the law court.

In an interview with the GNA Sport, Jones, now fully in charge of Accra Hearts of Oak said he stands by the dictates of his lawyers letter sent to the GFA and the settlement has to be based on what has been stated in the appointment letter.

"What I now expect, is for the GFA to respond to letter sent by my lawyers rather than expect me to come and renegotiate for a "golden handshake", he said.

Jones was fired as Black Stars coach on April 10 by the GFA for poor performance and divided attention.

The coach lost his first three matches against DR Congo 1-2, succumbed 1-3 to Liberia and 0-1 to Sudan.

But the coach bounced back with an impressive 0-0 drawn game against big guns Nigeria and won 3-0 against DR Congo.

Jones took over as Stars coach on 3^rd January this year with a 5,000 monthly salary, and enticement fee of 30,000 dollars among other benefits but non of these was given to him before his sack on April 10.

Jones hit back at the GFA through his lawyers demanding his entitlement plus a six-month salary for wrongful termination of appointment, all to the tune of 80,000 dollars to be paid within 14 days.

Mr Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, a legal practitioner and Vice-Chairman of the GFA told the GNA last Friday that the matter was still with their (GFA) counsel for study and added that he was not in a position to say whether or not Jones' letter could replied within the stipulated time.

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Hockey-Goldensticks prevent a clean sweep by Prisons Service

Accra (Greater Accra) 30 April 2001

Goldensticks of Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), prevented a sweep of trophies by Reformers of Prisons Service when they beat them (Prison) by a lone goal to win this year's GLICO gala which heralds the new hockey season at the National Hockey Pitch, in Accra on Saturday.

Reformers who started off as the favourites played a tactical game as their younger opponents from Commercial Bank, brimming with confidence after eliminating defending champions Exchequers of Bank of Ghana, in the semi finals went into attack.

The early pressure from Goldensticks, however, yielded no dividend as Reformers settled down and took the game to their opponents, winning the first penalty corner in the 10th minute but it was wasted.

The second half saw Goldensticks putting up more pressure and won their first and only penalty corner in the 21^st minute, which was expertly connected by skipper Delali Agbesi, as he flicked the ball into the net for the game's only goal.

Reformers ladies, had earlier beaten the Police ladies team by 2-1 in the final by racing into a two-goal lead from a Mary Larnor penalty corner in the forth minute and a Vivian Dawutey penalty stroke in the 10^th minute.

With this comfortable lead, Reformer ladies relaxed in the second half and allowed Police Ladies a greater share of play, which brought them a consolation goal in the 21^st minute when Rejoice Noi scored through a penalty corner.

Goldensticks and Reformers ladies for their effort took home trophies and cash prizes of 400,000 and 300,000 cedis respectively, while Reformers men and Police ladies, runners up, received 300,000 and 200,000 cedis respectively.

On their way to the finals, Goldensticks disposed of Fire Service and Marinesticks of the Ghana Navy respectively, by lone goals, and against all Odds, defeated Exchequers 4-3 on penalties, after the match ended a goal apiece.

Reformers had a walk over in the first round after Taxrakers failed to turn up, beat ACME 4-3 on penalties and brushed aside Trustees with a lone goal in the semi finals.

In the ladies division which started from the semi finals stage, Reformers ladies beat their Fire Service counterparts by 3-0, while Police ladies also reach the final via a 3-0 penalty win over CEPS, after the game had ended barren.

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Boxing-Veteran Oblitei Commey suffers double agony at Gbo-ahaa night

Accra (Greater Accra) 30 April 2001

Veteran boxer Percy Oblitei Commey, suffered a double agony at the Kaneshie Sports Complex early Saturday morning in a West Africa and National Super featherweight Championship fight against fellow Ghanaian, Smith Odoom.

Oblitei Commey was not only beaten but was also punished severely for skin bleaching. The tall and lanky boxer aged over 40, and a compatriot of Ghana's boxing legend Azumah Nelson started to have the effect of peeling of his thick black skin from the fourth round.

A combination of left-right hooks by stocky Odoom in the early minutes of the forth round opened a deep cut on his right cheek and it became worse before the bell went for the end of the round.

Just as the fight progressed, Oblitei suffered similar cuts in both nostrils and the right ear.

The 6 feet 4 inches tall boxer who stormed the ring, clad in an all white cloth, a white hair gear and spotted new-look jelly curls, was booed and jeered each time he was on the offensive, apparently because of his feminine look.

Both boxers visited the canvas in a blistering second round but from then Odoom took total dominance of the rest of the game, pelting his weak opponent with incessant punches.

By the seventh round, ringside doctors had to step in to give Oblitei medical attention as he had been bleeding profusely. But the boxer refused to listen to his corner men to discontinue the fight until 2:36 minutes in the 11^th round when referee Osabutey stopped the fight and crowned Odoom the new West Africa and National Super featherweight champion.

Odoom improved his record to 16-11-3-2 while Oblitei drops to 75-65-6-1.

Ghana's Commonwealth gold medallist, Raymond Narh quickly threw a challenge to the new champion to determine who is the king in that division.

In the other title bout Ghana's Joshua Clottey won a technical knock out against Nigerian Ike Obi in their Africa Welterweight Championship scheduled for 12-rounds. Obi failed to respond to the bell in the 10 round after receiving some hefty punishment from Clottey.

Clottey moves up to 22-21-1 (16 kos) while Obi slumps to 26-21-4-1 (18 kos).

In the others fights at the 'Gbo-ahaa night' put together by Ambition and Nii Armah Promotions, James Toney registered a first round knockout over Anyetei Sowah in an eight round middleweight contest while Joseph Sakordie won a unanimous decision over Romeo Aquaye in a lightweight six-round contest.

In the Super lightweight contest, Lartekwei Hammond won a unanimous verdict against Isaac Quartey.

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