A.C.
Olympiakos appoint officers
Kumasi
(Ashanti Region) 25 April 2002 - Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Wednesday put fears
into premier league clubs that they would be encountering when they crushed
Real Tamale United by five goals to nil in their outstanding second week league
encounter at the Kumasi Stadium.
Kotoko,
1-3 losers to Obuasi Goldfields last Sunday at Obuasi were red-eyed as they
went all-out to please their supporters with the biggest scoreline in the
three-week old league. The win also conditions the Fabulous club better for
their 2nd leg continental encounter against Santos of South Africa. Kotoko
scored three of their goals in the first half and the remaining two in the
second half.
Godwin
Ablordey, Joe Sam, Joe Louis and Nana Frimpong scored one each for Kotoko while
the other was an own goal by RTU. Kotoko's first goal came in the second minute
when RTU's Baba Adini, under pressure, put the ball in his own net. It was
Michael Osei's cross from the left flank that found goalkeeper Suleiman
Abubakar making a fruitless attempt to grab the ball, and a hard-pressed Baba
Adini only managed to kick the ball into his own net.
Seven
minutes later Godwin Ablordey increased the tally when he beautifully tapped
home a cross from Nana Arhin Duah on the left. RTU's goalkeeper Suleiman was
replaced after the second goal by Najaru Issah following an injury. The
homesters increased the tempo of their game and deservedly added another goal
in the 33rd minute through Joe Sam.
He pounced
on a loose ball from a corner kick from Stephen Oduro, which substitute keeper
Najaru failed to grab one time and delivered a power-laden shot that sent the
keeper running for cover. Five minutes after recess substitute Joe Louis who
replaced an injured Michael Osei made it four for Kotoko. It was a goalmouth
struggle, which he tapped home beautifully. Nana Frimpong made it five 20
minutes after recess for Kotoko.
GRi.../
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Oda
(Eastern Region) 25 April 2002 - The management of AC Olympiakos has appointed,
among others, the following personnel as interim executive members of the
club's supporters union who would be sworn-in at Akim Oda during the gala
competition slated for Saturday and Sunday.
They are:
Chairman - Mr Peter Ominako; Secretary - Mr Charles Nyamekye; Organiser - Mr
Alex Amoakohene; Financial Secretary - Mr Kofi Ennison; Treasurer - Mr Kwabla
Gyekye; Women's Organiser - Madam Serwaa and Patrons - Nana Kojo Baah and
others.
Meanwhile,
Olympiakos whose new base is Akim Oda, will host Premier League champions,
Accra Hearts of Oak in a friendly soccer match in commemoration of Workers' Day
activities on Wednesday, May 1.
GRi.../
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 25 April 2002-Exchequers made a significant impact on the
ongoing Africa Clubs Hockey Championships when they humiliated Trustees 4- in
their cracking male derby at the National Hockey Pitch yesterday.
Being an
opening match, both teams were determined to make an impression, thus resulting
in a tight game which saw them playing cautiously in the initial stages. But as
it turned out eventually, it was the bankers who reigned supreme after
registering two goals in each half to move into contention for the title. With
tension so high in this well-attended duel, Exchequers signalled their
intentions early in the second minute when dangerman, Alfred Armah, missed
narrowly with a close range flick.
That
marked the beginning of Trustees' woes as Exchequers' attacking line of Armah,
Daniel Lamptey, Eddie Odametey and skipper Richmond Attipoe put unbearable
pressure on the opponents' defence. With skilful William Cudjoe providing them
with the needed tonic from midfield, it was just a matter of course when Alfred
Armah converted beautifully a penalty stroke in the 14th minute.
Three
minutes later, Armah called Trustees goalkeeper Adolf Adjei to duty with a
powerful shot from a penalty corner which he did well to save. In the 18th
minute, Exchequers linkman Cudjoe was yellow-carded for foul play and his
absence gave Trustees the upperhand in midfield as they probed for the
equaliser with veteran Ebo Arthur, Alfred Armah and David Chablah in the thick
of affairs.
Exchequers,
however, were back in the driving seat later in the half and increased the
tally just before recess when Eddie Odametey hit the backboard with a first
time connection to an Alfred Bruce cross. They continued their dominance after
the interval and had the chance to go further ahead when Armah was brought down
in the opponents' vital area. However, Cudjoe who took the penalty saw his
flick saved by Adolf Adjei in the 38th minute.
But Eddie
Odametey ensured the tally was increased two minutes later with a personal
second after Daniel Lamptey had done the spade-work for him. Daniel Lamptey
finished the demolition work after 55 minutes following a beautiful solo run by
substitute Gad Oblitey. With their pride hurt, Trustees carried the game to
their opponents and earned countless penalty corners with the aim of getting a
consolation goal, but goalkeeper Bright Djokoto and his teammates frustrated
their efforts.
In a preceding
match, Police Union who caused a major stir on the opening day with a 3-1 win
over defending champions, Sharkia, maintained their winning form with a 4-1
thrashing of Yobe Flickers of Nigeria. The competition continues today with
Trustees playing Sharkia at 2pm while Exchequers clash with Yobe Flickers at 4
p.m.
Come this
Saturday at the main bowl of the Nigerian National Stadium at Surulere in
Lagos, Ghana Academicals soccer team selected from the schools and colleges,
will lock horns with their Nigerian counterparts in a possible re-enactment of
the rivalry that has existed between the two countries in all categories of
football.
The two
teams drew 1-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium last week in the first leg of their
yearly confrontation, which is being sponsored by VALCO of Ghana and Shell,
Nigeria.
The
approach of the return clash would certainly put the young Ghanaian side on
nerves as their predecessors suffered a 4-1 thumping at the hands of the
Nigerians after the two teams had drawn in Accra in the first leg. But coach
Bashir Hayford (Bash) is optimistic that this new crop of players selected from
last year's VALCO Schools Tournament and Milo School Championship would perform
well to salvage their image in Lagos.
He
attributed the team's erratic shooting upfront in last Saturday's game to the
short period of camping and added that most of the boys had just finished
school and were match-rusty. Two years ago, Ghana defeated the Nigerians 2-1 in
Accra and managed a goalless draw in the return leg. That achievement should
spur the boys to fight to the wire on Saturday.
The boys
who are currently camping at the Winneba Sports College are determined to halt
what is gradually becoming Nigerian dominance at the youth level- and certainly
they are aware that it's going to be a difficult task. Nigerian teams always
take inspiration from their loyal fans who follow them, irrespective of the
competition, to give the needed moral support with uninterrupted drumming and
singing.
In fact,
it was one of such supports that galvanised the Nigerians last Saturday to
equalise after the Ghanaians had taken a first half lead. Their brass band
music overwhelmed the Ghanaians and created the impression that they
(Ghanaians) were playing away from home.
The
Ghanaians are scheduled to leave Accra today by road to Lagos and their ability
to win Saturday's game would depend on how quickly the boys are able to recover
from the stress of travelling that long distance.
But more
important would be how coach Bash is able to eclipse the Nigerian wingers,
Felix Orode and Ogochukwu Nwafor from sending in their dangerous crosses. Many
connoisseurs, after watching the first leg encounter, expressed the hope that
with a little bit of focus especially upfront, the Ghanaians should be able to
scale over the Nigerians in the return match.
Probable
Line up for Ghana: Abuwaldan Shamadan, Emmanuel Yeboah, Abu Adams, Isaac Amadu
Boduong, Aminu Mohammed, Charles Owusu Sekyere (captain), Richard Pobee, Frank
Appiah, Nana Gyan Asamoah, Amunike Muftahu, Mohammed Fatawu.
GRi.../
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