Dodoo Ankrah begins school for goalkeepers
Soccer- First round matches of FA Cup begins on Sunday
Dodoo Ankrah begins school for goalkeepers
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 May 2000
Dodoo Ankrah, one of Ghana's greatest goalkeepers, has begun an academy to train young goalkeepers in Accra and its environs.
The ex-international, who was the first choice for the Black Stars from 1957 to 1967 said he was moved by the lack of expertise and commitment on the part of the new generation of goalkeepers that man the posts for Ghanaian clubs in recent times.
Speaking to the GNA on Monday, Mr. Ankrah said ''my focus is to change the art of goal keeping by teaching up and coming goalkeepers the rudiments of manning the post.''
He intends to nurture the mentality of his students, since according to him, "goal keeping requires a strong mind that must remain directly focused and concentrated as long as a game lasts.”
"Magic hands," as he was affectionately called in his glorious era said, he was confident his school would accelerate the development of goalkeepers in Ghana.
The former Great Olympics and Real Republicans player said he conducts his lessons at the Ken Harrison Park and has an initial enrolment of four students who are aged between fourteen and seventeen.
According to him, since goalkeeper training requires "a one on one" approach, he has gone into partnership with another ex-international goalkeeper, Awudu Nelson, to give the boys maximum attention.
Dodoo Ankrah was voted Sportsman of the year in 1960. In 1978, he was awarded a certificate of honour by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).
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Soccer- First round matches of FA Cup
begins on Sunday
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 May 2000
The first round matches of this year's F. A. Cup involving first division clubs kick-start on Sunday May 28 at 14 league centres.
The qualified 14 teams would be paired against their premier counterparts in the second round at the date yet to be announced.
According to the first round fixtures released in Accra on Monday, Mighty Rocks clash with Morin Stars at Bolga, Jakpa Warriors lock horns with Yeji Stars at Salaga and Savana Stars face Republicans at the Tamale Kaladan Park.
At Wa, Kwamax meet Upper West Heroes, Pro-Sports engage Arsenals at Berekum, Bronkyempem pitch their strength against Kintampo United at Tachiman while Aduana and Soccer Youth sort things out at Dorma.
Denkyira United versus Amansie United at Dunkwaw, Bafana Bafana and Police come face-to-face at Sekondi, Sportnet versus Mohammedans at Tema and at Ho, Home Stars clash with Stay Cool.
At Aflao, Bayern Munich flex their muscles against Mighty Royals, Maamobi Youth meet Khalid Stars at the Kaneshie Sports Complex while All Blacks clash with Iron Fighters at Swedru.
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Accra (Greaater Accra) 26 May 2000
With three matches to the end of the first round of the A.B.C. Premier League, the league table is taking shape and the heavyweights are filing into honourable positions.
Having retained most of their players from the past three seasons, Accra Hearts of Oak have demonstrated that it takes time to groom a formidable team. The Phobians are not only run away leaders, but remain undefeated too.
Having scored thirty-one goals and conceded only six in twelve matches, chances are that Hearts could be on the way to setting a new record in the annals of the Professional League b y annexing the league title for a fourth time running.
Apart from Hearts, all the other clubs seem to be afflicted with the Ghanaian football disease, creating chances and missing them. The league is, therefore, bereft of big score lines. This is not good for Ghana football.
In week twelve for example, all the eight matches produced only twelve goals, with Liberty scoring three while King Faisal and RTU scored two each. The rest of the teams scored either a single goal, or drew blanks.
Apart from second-placed Liberty Professionals and third-placed Obuasi Goldfields who have goal differences of eight and four respectively in their favour, all the other clubs, except Hearts, have goal deficits or blanks.
While there may be a pointer to where the title is going, the same cannot be said of clubs, which could be relegated.
Wonder club, Accra Great Olympics are placed 15th, with eleven points and are as equally threatened with the drop as bottom club Brong Ahafo United who have ten points.
Also dogged with insecurity are Dawu, Okwawu United and Power FC who are all at twelve points, just a point richer than Great Olympics. This gives an indication that the home stretch will be fiercely fought in order to chase the trophy or escape relegation.
As fine football thrives on massive spectatorship, fans turn out at matches has to improve in order to encourage the players to put up their best. This will increase the revenue base of the teams as well. However, the incidence of crowd violence at some league centres is most unfortunate and must be condemned. What happened at Cape Coast last Sunday, where more than 40 people were seriously injured, is a disgrace to Ghana football.
The Ghana Football Association must act decisively to bring the perpetrators of such acts to book. The clubs must also take time to educate their fans to abhor violence. Tutorials on the rules of the game will go a long way in curbing rowdyism at our stadiums.
Finally, our referees must be seen to be as fair as possible. The success or otherwise of the league depends on them. They must keep their heads above water. Let there be peace, let the game flow and let the goals draw the cheers.
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