GRi Sports 13 - 11 - 2001

Disciplinary Committee to settle cases before league ends

Hearts, Kotoko battle out for semis

Ghana meets Nigeria in Golf

Toney eyes WBC Int

 

 

Disciplinary Committee to settle cases before league ends

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 13 November 2001 - Mr Kwaku Ampem-Darko, Acting General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has expressed the hope that the Disciplinary Committee would, as a matter of urgency, settle cases pending before it before the end of this year's League.

 

Speaking to GNA sports, Mr Ampem-Darko said the GFA would advise the Committee, if need be, to increase its sittings in order to clear all the cases to rule out the possibility of any suspension of the league as being suggested by some clubs.

 

Even though, he welcomed the suggestions, Mr Ampem-Darko contended that the FA would explore all avenues at its disposal to settle the cases before considering such suggestions.

 

"The decision of the GFA not to update the league table temporarily is to prevent controversies arising from computations that do not reflect the reality and to enable them come out with a correct version when all the cases are resolved".

 

He, however, stated that suspension of the league would be the last resort if it turned out that the committee cannot settle all cases pending before it.

 

On security for Wednesday's FA quarterfinals match between Kotoko and Hearts at the Kumasi Sport Stadium, Mr Ampem-Darko said contacts have been made with the Regional Coordinating Council in Kumasi to ensure adequate security for the match.

 

He said everything would be done to ensure that the match is played in a safe atmosphere to avoid any unforeseen circumstances. Mr Ampem Darko also appealed to the fans of both teams to exercise patience during the match and "learn to accept defeat since it is part of the game."

GRi…/

 

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

 

Return to top

 

Hearts, Kotoko battle out for semis

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 13 November 2001 - Call it a clash of the titans, and you would not be far from right. It is Kotoko versus Hearts again!

 

Barely two months since the two most glamorous clubs in the country pitched strength against each other in a league match, they will be coming face to face again on Wednesday at the quarterfinal stage of the FA knock-out competition at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

 

Already dubbed by some fans as 'the final before grand finale,' it is glaring that the rivalry between the two will be at it's peak come what may.

 

Having won their last encounter at the same venue in September, their first over Hearts in five years, indications are that Kotoko will be under some pressure to win again in order to confirm their superiority against the four-time league champions.

 

Moreover, having seen the league cup slip through their fingers for eight years running, Kotoko will have to play above themselves to deny the Phobians another chance of retaining the cup.

 

However, Hearts already tagged as cup lords will be entering this game as favorites, considering the kind of vim they play with in cup competitions. But being the favorites or underdogs on the form guide can hardly determine matches involving the two archrivals, as matches involving them cannot be predicted in terms of strength or form.

 

Though Hearts could slightly be ahead in terms of current form, snatching a win from the jaws of the "Oseikrom lads" at their favourite "fast track stadium" would not be that easy. With stakes so high, any of the teams could be in laments should they commit unpardonable errors.

 

Kotoko's, midfield machinery, which is likely to be bolstered by the return of Godwin Ablordey whose absence had knocked it down, could neutralize the effective range of Hearts' deadly trio of Ishmael Addo, Charles Taylor and Osei Kuffour. Victory is likely to swing to anyone's favour should there be proper officiating, good weather and well-behaved spectators.

 

In the other quarter final matches, Obuasi Goldfields will be coming face to face with the harbor boys, Tema Ghapoha at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium while wonder club, Accra Great Olympics take on division one campaigners, Ebusua Dwarfs at the Accra Sports Stadium.

 

To complete the quarterfinals pairing, King Faisal take on Liberty Professionals at the Kumasi Sports Stadium in a delayed fixture on Wednesday, November 21.

GRi…/

 

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

 

Return to top

 

Ghana meets Nigeria in Golf

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 13 November 2001-Achimota Golf Club of Ghana play Ikoyi Golf Club of Nigeria in an international golf competition at the Achimota Course in Accra on Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18.

 

A spokesman for the Achimota Golf club who announced this in Accra on Tuesday, said the two-day Scratch competition, is being sponsored by the Club. He said the competition, which is played annually between the two clubs, is aimed at fostering good relationship between the two countries.

 

Possible line-up for Achimota include Mike Aggrey, S.D. Odame, Yaw Assah-Sam, Nick Smallman, Gilbert Morgan and F.O. Mills.

 

Much is not known about the Nigerians, but sources close to the Achimota Golf Club told the GNA that the visitors had moved into a secret camp and are determined to beat the Ghanaians in their own backyard for the first time.

 

However, Captain Gilbert Morgan of Achimota said his team cannot afford to lose this game, especially when they are determined to offer Ghanaians a worthy Christmas bonus.

 

A flag hoisting ceremony to herald the beginning of the game will be held on Friday, November 16.

 

Mr Sam Okechukwu, Nigerian High Commissioner and other members of the diplomatic corps are expected to grace the occasion.

GRi…/

 

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

 

Return to top

           

Toney eyes WBC Int

 

James Toney, Ghana’s African middleweight boxing champion is to challenge for the World Boxing Council (WBC) International title next year, sports biweekly, Graphic Sports said.

 

In this regard, his managers have lined up a couple of fights for him to enable him gain more ring experience and put him in tip top shape before the title fight.

 

Mr Anthony Kermah, manager of Toney told the GNA sports on Monday that he had scheduled the boxer to be in a position to fight for bigger titles after annexing the International title.

GRi…/

 

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

 

Return to top