Premier League---Latest Positions (29th Week Fixtures )
Okwawu United versus Obuasi Goldfields replay-Police assures adequate security.
Accra (Greater Accra), 1st October 99
Tema Ghapoha F/C yesterday brightened their chances of staying in the premier division next season when they climbed to the number twelve spot on the league ladder with 33 points after beating Liberty Professionals 2-1 in a 29th week fixture. The victory sets Ghapoha in a crucial decider with Tano Bofoakwa, 14th placed and also with 33 points on Sunday in the grand finale at the Tema Sports Stadium.
It was Liberty who took the lead in the seventh minute when Asamoah Dzifa capitalised on a defensive mix-up between former international goalie Simon Addo and his defence men to slot home for the ‘Professionals’. Addo, who is back to his mother club after a professional stint in Turkey, sent a weak pass meant for a defender but Dzifa who was lurking around the goal area, intercepted it to score for his side.
Aware that their survival in the elite division depends on the outcome of this game, Ghapoha mounted incessant pressure after this goal and were unlucky to equalise in the 23rd and 24th minutes when Bernard Bortey and Kwabena Boateng messed up with begging chances.
In the 30th minute, goalkeeper Addo proved his worth when he denied Dzifa of a second goal when he moved off his line to scoop the ball off the striker's boot.
Back from recess and with defeat staring at them GHAPOHA's eyes were reddened even more and kept the Liberty goal area under siege however the agility of goalkeeper Louis Quainoo of Liberty thwarted all their efforts.
Ghapoha could however not be denied a deserving equaliser in the 53rd minute when goalkeeper Quainoo was unable to reach Robert Amoako's powerful shot from a free-kick, which zoomed straight into the net.
With their morale boosted by the cancellation, Ghapoha fought hard and clinched the winner in the 73rd minute through Bortey of Black Starlets fame. Apparently satisfied with the score line, the Ghapoha boys resorted to defensive play to protect their slim lead until the 90th minute.
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Premier League---Latest Positions (29th Week Fixtures )
Team Locale/Region P W D L F A Pts GD
Hearts Accra, Gt. Accra 29 18 5 6 55 27 59 +28
Dwarfs Cape Coast, Central 29 15 5 9 39 29 50 +10
Kotoko Kumasi, Ashanti 29 16 5 8 38 29 50 +9
RTU Tamale, Northern 29 15 4 10 44 29 49 +15
Goldfields Obuasi, Ashanti 29 15 2 12 34 25 47 +9
Okwawu Nkawkaw, Eastern 29 14 3 12 33 28 45 +5
Hasaacas Sekondi, Western 29 12 6 11 28 24 42 +4
Olympics Accra, Gt. Accra 29 11 8 11 28 24 41 +4
Faisal Kumasi, Ashanti 29 11 8 10 33 31 41 +2
Liberty Accra, Gt. Accra 29 12 3 14 29 27 39 +2
Dawu Dawu, Eastern 29 8 10 11 32 37 34 -5
GHAPOHA Tema, Gt. Accra 29 7 12 10 23 32 33 -9
Power F/C Koforidua, Eastern 29 8 9 12 23 32 33 -9
Bofoakwa Sunyani, Brong Ahafo 29 10 3 16 20 42 33 -22
All Blacks Swedru, Central 29 10 5 14 31 38 32 -7
Afienya Afienya, Gt. Accra 29 2 8 19 11 45 14 -34
NB: The 28th week match between Okwawu United and Obuasi Goldfields at Nkawkaw which ended abruptly in the 80th minute will be replayed today, Friday, 01 October 1999.
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Okwawu United versus Obuasi Goldfields replay-Police assures adequate security.
Nkawkaw (Eastern Region), 1st October 99
The Nkawkaw divisional police have given the assurance that adequate security measures have been taken to ensure peace at the ABC Golden Lager premier soccer league replay between Okwawu United and Obuasi Goldfields at Nkawkaw, this afternoon, Friday, October one.
The divisional police administration has, therefore, called on the supporters of both teams and the general public to comport themselves to avoid any breach of the peace.
A Police statement in Nkawkaw on Thursday, signed by the Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Daniel Owusu Prempeh, said 18 players from each team, match officials, medical team, ball boys and the press would be allowed into the inner perimeter of the field.
It said any individual or group of supporters who would contravene the directives would be dealt with appropriately.
The match, played last Sunday at Nkawkaw, ended abruptly in the 80th minute when police threw tear gas to stop fans from throwing stones onto the field after Okwawu were awarded a spot kick.
Meanwhile, sources from the Okwawu United Football Club indicates that the ‘Soccer Mountaineers’ have accepted to honour the replay reluctantly while Goldfields are reported to have expressed 'disgust' at the rescheduling of the match.
However, Professional League Board Chairman, Mr. Oheneba Charles says the match would certainly come on today to enable the premier league to be brought to its conclusive end on Sunday.
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