GRi Sports Ghana 08 - 03 - 2001
Can coach Attuquayefio
make it with the locals?
Kotoko beat Faisal in anniversary match
B/A old stars beat their Ashanti
counterparts in indece match
Can coach
Attuquayefio make it with the locals?
Accra (Greater Accra) 08 March
2001
The battle between two of Africa's
great soccer nations-Ghana and Nigeria at any level had always been
uncompromising and full of drama both on and off the field of play. But perhaps
what makes Sunday's encounter in their Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup qualifier at
the Accra Sports unique is the fact Blacks Stars coach Jones Attuquayefio is
risking featuring entirely home-based
players as against a world class foreign-based Nigerian side in this crucial
game.
It may not be the first time when a coach has decided to use an
entirely local team. But it important to note that in those days, especially in
the 1950s and 60s the issue of player exodus was either non-existent or was
just being introduced, more so the exercise was not unique to only Ghana.
Even in days of player exodus
especially in the mid 1980s coaches in the country had always maintained a
blend of locals and foreign best materials to execute any task. It was in the
days of Germany coach Bukard Zieds when players like Sam Johnson and Stanley
Abora among other local players were transformed.
The scenario in the case of
Attuquayefio is quite different. Even though in his case he has his best crop
of players in the foreign land, he has opted for the locals on the basis of
commitment and loyalty. The coach is yet to register a win since taking over as
the Stars' coach after the unfortunate exist of Italian Giusseppe Dossena a
couple of months earlier.
He lost 1-2 to the Democratic
Republic of Congo, 1-3 to war torn Liberia in Accra and 0-1 to yet another war
ravage Sudan, all in a World Cup qualifier. The Black Stars are in a distant
forth place in their five-team group including Nigeria who trail Liberia at the
top on goals difference while Sudan is stuck at the bottom.
The coach seems to be desperate
for a win and could not have relied on any other than his own homeboys most of
who are drawn from his Super Cup team, Accra Hearts of Oak. Thirteen of the 23 players invited to camp at
Swedru are from Hearts while the remaining 10 are shared among a few other
premier clubs. Some of the key players include Africa goalking Emmanuel Osei
Kuffour, Ishmael Addo, Isaac Owusu, Jacob Nettey and goalkeeper Sammy Adjei.
On the contrary, Nigerian Dutch
coach Jo Bonfrer has assembled crack foreign players including former Africa
number one Kanu Nwankwo at neighbouring Togo for the do-or-die battle on
Sunday.
For a very long time, the Super
Eagles have tried to break the myth surrounding their inability to beat the
Stars and perhaps this could be their Sunday. But that is not going to be easy.
The Ghana Football Association has
sent a spy to Togo to study the Nigerians game plan as they engage the Hawks of
Togo in an international friendly on Thursday. But all these notwithstanding,
Coach Attuquayefio has one point to proof on Sunday, that he could do without
the foreign-based players-but is that possible?
GRi…/
Kotoko beat Faisal in anniversary match
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 08 March 2001
Kumasi Asante Kotoko brought back smiles to the faces of their teeming supporters when they humbled their bogey side, King Faisal 2-1 in a match to climax the Ghana's independence anniversary at the Kumasi sports stadium on Tuesday night.
Kotoko who held Accra Hearts of Oak, Africa Super champions to a pulsating 1-1 draw at the Accra sports stadium in an independence anniversary cup match last Sunday, were matchless as they went all out and subdued Faisal who for some time now have scored spectacular victories over them.
For the teeming supporters, Kotoko's victory is a prelude to what to expect in the coming league seasons, judging from the par excellence performance that kept the fairly large crowd on its feet.
Kotoko who are rebuilding their team after seven years in the wilderness, owe their victory to new-found Thomas Duodo whose flawless, inch-perfect passes and striking role was more than Faisal could handle.
The slippery attacker who came on as a substitute struck twice in the 59th and 66th minutes to give his side a 2-0 lead after a scoreless first half.
Faisal marshalled their forces and grabbed a consolation goal in the 84th minute through Nuru Ahmed.
GRi…/
B/A old stars beat their Ashanti
counterparts in indece match
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 08 March 2001
Brong Ahafo Region Old Stars beat their Ashanti Region counterparts 2-1 in a special Independence Day Anniversary football match played at the Sunyani Coronation Park on Tuesday.
Half time scores were 1-1.
It was a match that did not only offer holiday makers the opportunity to watch some of their ageing idol players in action, but also made them to laugh because of the fun that characterised the greater part of the 90-minute encounter.
The spectators cheered when the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr. Ernest Kwaku Debrah and his entourage arrived at the stadium and later took the kick off.
Popular among the Brong Ahafo players was Kwasi Owusu, one time captain of the national team, the black Stars and Stephen Asante of B.A. United fame.
In his hey days, Kwasi Owusu's presence on the field sent shivers in the spines of opposing teams.
Those were the good old days when Kwasi combined effectively with both feet and banged in the goals at ease.
Now at 45, however all that made Kwasi Owusu of Bofoakwa Tano fame the "power-house" that he was, was more of a passenger than an active footballer in the anniversary combat.
Apart from exhibiting faulty passes, Kwasi, as affectionately called by his admirers missed three goal scoring chances, a clear sign that old age had taken its toll on him.
The Ashanti Regional team lacked big names in terms of popular old footballers, but included Haruna Issifu, formerly with Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Mends (Cornerstone), Peter Boateng and Appiah (both of Ashanti heroes) and Joe Lamptey (Hearts of Oak).
GRi…/