Accra (Greater Accra) 02 August 2001
The 21st chairman of the Ghana Football
Association (GFA) Mr Ben Koufie and three of his six-member Board, were sworn
into office on Thursday as he promised to "meet fire with water".
"Certain decisions have to
be taken, I know some will be offended, but we have to offend people to achieve
our goal", Mr Koufie told the gathering which include two previous past
chairmen, Nana Sam Brew Butler and Alhaji Mohammed Nuru Deen Jawula, at the GFA
secretariat.
Mr Abedi Ayew Pele, one of the
government's nominees and a member of the association has travelled outside the
country while Mr Worlanyo Agra, General Secretary has been removed from office.
The four members present at the
swearing in ceremony were, Ben Koufie, Chairman,
Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, Vice, Mr Yaw La-Danso Addo and
Sylvester Mensah, members.
"If it means stepping on the
toes of some people to move Ghana football forward, we will do that", the
Chairman said.
He said he
was coming into office at a time when Ghana football was shrouded in
uncertainties; and when past administrators have been accused of
mal-administration among other allegations, adding that "but I am not
deterred or afraid because with the determination of every one we will
succeed".
The 69 year-old former Black
Stars coach cum player said he would hold a Strategic Planning Workshop at
Winneba on Thursday, August 16 to outline his vision which he hope would become
the blueprint to develop soccer in the country.
He urged the media to crosscheck
facts with the GFA before they are either published or aired.
"We need to move forward by
removing all stumbling blocks and put forward a realistic plan of progress and
to respect international norms of the game", Mr Koufie said.
Mr A. Y. Ibrahim, Executive
Council Chairman debunked the rumours that Agra has been sacked and said the
position of the general secretaryship would soon be advertised and he could
reapply.
He urged
the new administration to improve the image of the GFA and come out with
attractive conditions of service for staff to entice qualified professionals.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 02 August 2001
Mr Ebo Quansah, one of the candidates eying the post of the General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) says he would transform the secretariat into an honest haven where things would be done openly to attract public scrutiny and criticism in order to improve upon the status quo.
"There will be no need to hide anything from the public and the media because I will offer the kind of leadership that will eschew corruption and emphasise prudent management of resources to the advantage of development."
He told the GNA Sports on Wednesday that he would ensure that all staff of the GFA, change their attitude to work and deliver their optimum to satisfy soccer loving Ghanaians with good managerial results, which would rub off on the national teams.
Mr Quansah said one of his key objectives would be the establishment of strong data and information technology bases that would enable the technical personnel to have updates on our foreign based players so that only in-form players would be called up for national assignments.
"The GFA must have a website to provide information on our players and the activities of the association and by so doing, we shall save a lot of foreign currency by inviting only players whose current forms would manifest in positive results for the national teams."
The GFA General Secretaryship aspirant said he would work hard to rip the secretariat off the apron strings of the Ministry of Youth and Sports by generating enough money to foot all bills of the Black Stars.
"It is unfortunate that the GFA approaches the ministry for funding any time there is an assignment. Through prudent management and an aggressive marketing strategy, we should generate enough funds to cater for those things."
Mr Quansah said he would initiate a forum to meet the media every month and discuss the activities of the GFA while picking suggestions which would be considered and if found appropriate, implemented to derive good results.
He said he would not be cowed by the ministry, as the former general secretary was because he would deliberate extensively on issues before taking decisions and the ministry "would have no chance to dictate to us as Mr E.T Mensah did in the Dossena case."
Mr Quansah was apparently referring to the campaign mounted by the former minister to sack Guisseppe Dossena, the former national coach.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 02 August 2001
Results of the 12th week matches of the Star Premier league played on Wednesday.
Accra: Olympics 1 Hearts 1 Koforidua: Maxbees 0 RTU 1
Sunyani: Bofoakwa 1 Liberty 1 Obuasi: Adansiman 2 Okwawu 2
Kumasi: King Faisal 1 Ghapoha. 0 Berekum: Arsenals 1 Kotoko 1
Dawu: Dawu 2 Goldfileds 0 Sekondi: Hasaacas 2 K’bibirem 1
Standings at the end of 12th week matches honoured on 01 August
Club Local/Region P W D L F A Pts GD
Kotoko Kumasi, Ashanti 11 8 2 1 17 4 26 +13
Hearts Accra, Greater Accra 9 6 3 0 12 4 21 +9
RTU Tamale, North 11 6 3 2 12 5 21 +7
Dawu Dawu, Eastern 12 6 2 4 18 14 20 +4
Goldfields Obuasi, Ashanti 11 3 1 4 8 7 19 +8
Liberty Accra, Greater Accra 11 5 4 2 12 8 19 +4
Hasaacas Sekondi, Western 11 6 1 4 14 13 19 +1
Maxbees Suhum, Eastern 12 4 3 5 10 16 15 -6
Bofoakwa Sunyani, Brong Ahafo 12 3 5 4 11 10 14 +1
K. Faisal Kumasi, Ashanti 11 5 1 5 9 8 13 +1
Okwahu Nkawkaw, Eastern 12 3 4 5 12 13 12 -1
B. Arsenal Berekum, Brong Ahafo 12 3 3 6 9 15 12 -6
Adansiman Obuasi, Ashanti 11 2 4 5 11 17 10 -5
Kwaebibrem Asuom, Eastern 12 3 1 8 8 16 10 -8
Ghapoha Tema, Gt. Accra 12 1 5 6 5 9 8 -4
Gt. Olympics Accra, Gt. Accra 12 2 2 8 7 15 8 -8
NB: Four points have been deducted from the accumulated points of King Faisal for fielding an unqualified player in their 2-2 drawn match against Tano Bofoakwa. They lost the point that they picked in the second week match and three from their accumulated points. Hearts have three matches outstanding with Kotoko one and Goldfields one.
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Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Region) 02 August 2001
Bofoakwa Tano were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Liberty Professionals of Dansoman in the Star Premier soccer league match played at the Coronation Park, Sunyani on Wednesday. Half time score was 1-0 for Bofoakwa.
It was a match in which both teams exhibited good football, but missed several scoring chances, with Liberty being the worse offenders in the first half.
The home team grabbed the opening goal in the 42nd minute through right-winger Tahiru Abdulai.
A perfect corner-kick taken by Kwaku Duah found Nana Gyamfi whose pass went to Abdulai who tapped the ball over the head of on-rushing goalkeeper Cudjoe Addo into an empty net.
In the second half, the visitors played like wounded tigers and covered every blade of grass on the turf, with Muntari Sulley, Ablade Morgan and Obeng Francis fighting hard to get the equaliser.
The chance, however, eluded them until the 74th minute when Albert Batsa capitalised on a defensive blunder to slot home the deserved equaliser.
And at Berekum, the match between local Arsenals and visiting Kumasi Asante Kotoko ended with a goal to each side. Arsenals led from the first half and nearly collected the maximum three points but the Porcupine warriors had a penalty, which they converted to even scores and save them from disgrace.
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Sekondi (Western Region) 02 August 2001
Kwaebibirem United were beaten 2-1 by Sekondi Hasaacas at the Sekondi Gyandu Park in their 13th week match of the Star Premier League on Wednesday.
Visiting Kwaebibirem opened the scores in the14th minute through Sulemana Bentil. He scored with a back-heel kick after picking a pass from teammate Salifu Shaban.
Their joy was short-lived when Frank Turkson, equalised for Hasaacas in the 23 minute from a free kick.
Issa Mohammed scored the match winner for Hasaacas with a 30 yard shot in the 85th minute.
Adu Gyamfi of Kwaebibirem was shown the red card for an attack on Richard Ladzekpo in the 87th minute.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 02 August 2001
Accra Great Olympics lived up to their wondrous accolade when they shared honours with local rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak in a one-all drawn game at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday. The result would not however affect the positions of both clubs on the league table.
Hearts remain in second position while Olympics are still prominent in the relegation zone on eight points.
It was Hearts, the favourites, who took the initiative from the start and dominated the game, creating numerous goal scoring chances which they failed to convert as Charles Taylor appeared to more interested in displaying antics than scoring.
The alertness of the defenders of Olympics accounted for the final result as they effectively marked out their striking pair of Ishmael Addo and Osei Kuffour.
Hearts shot into the lead in the 18th minute when midfielder, Awuley Qauye riffled in a half volley from the edge of Olympics' penalty box, giving goalkeeper Sam Addo no chance at all.
The anticipated goal harvest by Hearts after the opener never materialised as they were frustrated by resilient defensive play of Philip Kutsu and George Essilfie who cleared their lines to keep the rampaging attackers of Hearts at bay.
The beauty of the game was nearly marred by card happy referee Alhassan Brobbey from Mampong whose numerous debatable calls infuriated players from both sides as he flashed a total of eight yellow cards.
The second half, saw a completely different Olympics side, who adopted a more offensive approach and were rewarded in the 48th minute when Odartey Lawson handled the ball in box. Frank Adjei beautifully converted the spot kick to draw level.
Hearts went straight into action after the equalizer and came close again to taking the lead in the 54th minute when Taylor's fierce shot from 40 meter was tipped over the cross bar by Addo.
In the 75th minute Taylor again found his way into the box but instead of cutting the ball back for the striker to finish off, he decided to go for glory and shot into the hands of the Olympics goalkeeper.
There was a near disaster for Hearts in the 77th minute when a misunderstanding between Eben Dida and Odartey Lawson nearly resulted in a goal as the latter's header back pass to his keeper missed the post narrowly with Dida off his line.
Hearts nearly had the last laugh in the 89th when Ishmael Addo drove a low shot near the far post but goalkeeper Addo was equal to the task to end Olympics six match losing streak.
GRi…/
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Koforidua (Eastern Region) 02 August 2001
Visiting Real Tamale United put up a good performance to beat Koforidua- based
Maxbees 1-0 in their Star Premier league match played at the Koforidua stadium.
RTU mounted their attack right from the beginning of the match, dominated the exchanges and sustained the pressure throughout the first half but missed several chances that came their way.
RTU maintained their domination of the game in the second half with their Kwame Achiampong and Sulemana Faisal leading their attack until the 75th minutes when Maxbees' Asamoah Dzifah fouled Sulemana in front of their goal area for the referee to award a freekick against them.
Hamza Mohammed, beautifully kicked the ball to the blind side of Maxbees' goalkeeper Saeed Ahmed, for the opener and only goal of the match.
Maxbees tried to savage their image before their home crowd but all their attempt at penetrating the defence of RTU was foiled by the stalwart defenders of RTU.
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Obuasi (Ashanti Region) 02 August 2001
Fast improving Adansiman held Okwawu United to a pulsating 2-2 drawn game in their Star premier league mid-week match played at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium today.
Kwaku Asare put Adansiman ahead in the 15th minute when he converted a spot-kick but Okwawu equalised in the 70th minute through Alfred Larbi.
Rampaging Okwawu shot into the lead three minutes later when slippery Yaw
Ohene Noble finished off a move, which left the Adansiman defence stranded.
When the match looked sewn up, Adansiman struck on the stroke of full time pulling even on the 90th minute to share the points with their much-experienced opponents.
GRi…/
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 02 August 2001
King Faisal beat Tema Ghapoha 1-0 in the Star Premier league mid-week encounter played at the Kumasi sports stadium.
The only goal came in the 30th minute through a low header by smallish Ben Wilson to the blind side of goalkeeper Abubakari Kankani on duty for Ghapoha.
Ghapoha failed to equalised from a penalty awarded them by Takoradi-based class one referee E.M. Alhassan in the 66th minute when Iddrisu Yahya, a defender of Faisal brought down Samuel Hanson who was in a good position to score.
Pomayie Mensah offered himself, to take the kick and missed to the astonishment of his colleagues.
Ghapoha kicked-off but Faisal soon took control of the game but Frank Osei who had only goalkeeper Kankani to beat shot wide in the third minute. This was followed by another chance in the 19th minute, which was also wasted by Kwadwo Anane.
Ghapoha pulled out Frank Nti and brought in Kojo Issa to strengthen the defence in the 23rd minute.
The Tema boys came into the picture from then on but missed a number of chances that came their way.
On resumption, both teams made substitutions but the pressure was on Ghapoha until the end of the game.
GRi…/
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