Star Premier League 22nd week
results and standings
Hearts defeat Okwawu at Nkawkaw
Bofoakwa still unbeaten at home
Olympics in another impressive win
Stars to be overhauled after Mali
2002
Accra (Greater Accra) 08 October 2001 - Results
of the 22nd week Star Premier League matches honoured on Sunday October 08,
2001.
Accra:
Olympics 3 Maxbees
0 Berekum Arsenals 1 Dawu 0
Kumasi:
Faisal 0 Liberty 0 Obuasi Adansiman 2 RTU 0
Sekondi:
Hasaacas 1 Goldfields 1 Asuom K'bibirem 0 Kotoko 2
Nkawkaw:
Okwawu 2 Hearts 3 Sunyani Bofoakwa 1 Ghapoha 0
Standings
Club Local/Region P
W D L F A
Pts GD
Hearts Accra, Greater Accra 22 16 4
2 43 13
52 +30
Kotoko Kumasi, Ashanti 22
14 2 6
32 11 44 +21
Goldfields Obuasi, Ashanti 21
11 3 7
31 15 36 +16
Bofoakwa Sunyani, Brong Ahafo 22 8 7
7 22 17 32 +5
RTU Tamale, North 22
9 4 9
20 19 31 +1
Hasaacas Sekondi, Western 22
9 4 9
22 23 31 -1
Dawu Dawu, Eastern 21
9 3 9
23 23 30 0
B. Arsenal Berekum, Brong Ahafo 22 8 4
10 16 29
28 -13
Liberty Accra,
Greater Accra 22 7
7 8 27
26 27 +1
Okwahu Nkawkaw, Eastern 21
7 6 8
24 25 27 -1
Gt. Olympics Accra, Gt. Accra 22
6 8 8
19 19 26 0
Ghapoha Tema, Gt. Accra 22
6 7 9
14 16 25 -2
K. Faisal Kumasi, Ashanti 22
6 7 9
14 18 25 -4
Maxbees Suhum, Eastern 22
6 4 12
18 41 23 -23
Kwaebibrem Asuom, Eastern 22
7 3 12
17 23 24 -6
Adansiman Obuasi, Ashanti 22 6 5
11 20 30 23 -10
NB: King Faisal was penalised for fielding an
unqualified player in the first round. They lost four points as a result. The
GFA’s decision to declare Kotoko losers in a protest against them by Bofoakwa
has also led to a drop in their point build-up.
GRi…/
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Nkawkaw (Eastern Region) 08 October 2001 -
Champion club Accra Hearts of Oak continued their winning spree when they beat
soccer mountaineers, Okwawu United 3-2 in their match played at the Nkawkaw
Park to remain on top of the table with 52 points.
Hearts who dominated play at the initial stages
got the first goal in the 11th minute when inside right Adja Tetteh's header
from outside right Don Bortey's free-kick beat Okwawu 'keeper, Nkono Mauzu.
Hearts made it 2-0 four minutes later when
outside right Don Bortey's free-kick deflected off an Okwawu defender before
entering the net.
Okwawu came into the picture and pulled one
back in the 28th minute through centre forward and skipper for the side Alfred
Nii Larbi when he capitalised on a defensive blunder and shot past Hearts
'keeper James Nanor.
Hearts continued their domination with
beautiful combination between centre forward Charles Benson, inside right Adja
Tetteh and inside forward Ismael Addo and had their third goal in the 48th
minute when keeper Nkono failed to grab outside left Emmanuel Adjogu's first
time shot and Ismael Addo scored from the rebound.
In the 55th minute, Okwawu sent in Ernest
Boateng and Kofi Apetor for outside right Richard Mireku and inside right Paul
Apraku to strengthen their attacking machinery, while Hearts also sent in Charles
Allotey for outside left Emmanuel Adjogu.
The changes benefited Okwawu when they got
their second goal in the 58th minute through substitute Ernest Boateng when he
scored form outside right Paul Amponsah's in-swinger.
Okwawu made efforts to level scores but the
Hearts defence, pivoted around Mohammed Hassan foiled all their efforts at
goal.
GRi…/
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Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Region) 08 October 2001 -
A goal scored by inside-left Kwadwo Poku enabled Tano Bofoakwa to beat visiting
Ghapoha of Tema 1-0 in their match determined at the Sunyani Coronation Park on
Sunday.
Ghapoha did not find the decision of FIFA
referee Ibrahim Iddrisu of Tamale's decision a popular one, as they alleged the
goal was scored form an off-side position.
Kwame Ben who led the protest against the
decision was given a yellow card for dissent.
Right from kick off, the game was balanced as
both sides adopted a cautious approach, but by the end of the first half,
Bofoakwa had created some goal-scoring chances but their attackers squandered
them all.
The homesters played with renewed vigour on
resumption with Burkinabe international, Clovis Kambu, Yeboah George, Osei
Boateng, and John Cudjoe working hard to increase the tally.
After soaking the pressure, Ghapoha attacked in
bursts midway through the second half but surprisingly, most of their moves up
front were ruled off-side by referee Ibrahim Iddrisu till the end of the game.
At Berekum, Arsenals also beat visiting Dawu
Youngsters1-0.
GRi…/
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Obuasi (Ashanti Region) 08 October 2001 -
Obuasi Adansiman woke up from their slumber to beat visiting Real Tamale United
2-0 in their match played at the Len Clay Stadium.
A 47th minute penalty goal by Paul Attia gave
the Obuasi lads a 1-0 lead till the 90th minute when Hope Leveh scored the
second to send their fans into jubilation.
After a goalless first half in which Adansiman
failed to capitalise on the incessant pressure on the visitors, both teams
resumed the second half with the homesters bringing on Daniel Asamoah for John
Pobee who was injured in the course of the game.
In the 47th minute, Haruna Gariba who appeared
too slippery for the RTU defenders was brought down in the 18 during one of his
raids and referee P.S Okai awarded a spot kick, which Attiah scored to break
the deadlock.
Inspired by the goal, Adansiman kept on the
heat but wasted five corner kicks that came their way. As the game was
approaching the end, RTU warmed themselves up and earned an 89th minute but the
fluffed it.
Let off the hook, Haruna and Leveh who came on
for Awudu Alhassan in the 72nd minute pounced on the ball and sent the ball
past sprawling goal keeper Najamu Essah for the second goal.
GRi…/
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 08 October 2001 - King
Faisal drew 0-0 with Liberty Professionals in their match played at the Kumasi
Sports Stadium.
The result leaves King Faisal in a precarious
position, as they are now deep into the relegation waters with 24 points from
22 matches, just one point more than bottom club Obuasi Adansiman. Liberty are
now on 27 points and appear safe enough to remain in the premiership.
Liberty, who looked more purposeful from the
blast of the whistle from Hohoe-based referee G.B.K. Akposu, dominated play but
missed the chances that came their way.
Moses Tetteh missed a beautiful chance in the
first minute and so did Addoquaye Pappoe in the eighth minute and Mohammed
Halib in the 18th.
Determined to carry the day and with Faisal not
finding their rhythm, Liberty substituted Albert Batsa for Francis Obeng in a
bid to strengthen the attack in the 32nd minute.
Faisal came into the picture and had two
corner-kicks in the 34th and 36th minutes but wasted them all. In the 41st
minute, Moses Tetteh who was a real thorn in the flesh of the homesters was set
up but he fumbled in front of goal.
The second half saw Faisal dominating but could
not transform their advantage into goals as Liberty packed their defence to
subdue the fierce attacking machine of their opponents.
In the 46th and 47th minutes, Faisal came close
to scoring but wasted their chances in goalmouth melees. Joe Agyeman missed a
chance in the 48th minute while Yahuza Abubakari also missed a chance in the
53rd minute with only goalkeeper Cudjoe Addo to beat.
Both teams made some changes but it was Faisal
who had the better part of it as they had more possession but poor shooting
upfront denied them of any goal as the defence of Liberty stood gallantly until
the referee whistled for the end of the match.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 08 October 2001 - Two
early goals in the first half and another in the second half gave a rejuvenated
Accra Great Olympics a big win over Suhum-based
Maxbees in their 22nd week Star Premier League
match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday to move from the 15th spot
to the 12th.
Under the instructions of Takoradi-based class
one referee R.M Kwaning, Olympics with their new found strength, moved swiftly
into action and it came as no surprise therefore when J.B. Danquah scored a
goal after receiving a pass from Kobina Dodzie in the fifth minute.
With this early lead, Olympics took control of
the game and pilled up more pressure on their opponents who surprisingly had
the better of the exchanges but lacked a good striking force.
Having resurged from a poor first round
performance, Olympics looked more aggressive and wasted no chance in increasing
their goal tally when Albert Nkansah headed home a J B Danquah cross in the
18th minute.
Olympics continued their aggression to score
more goals while Maxbess also struggled to reduce the goal deficit.
Back from recess, Olympics maintained their
dominance and pressurised Maxbees but a
good chance in the 50th minute was thwarted by
goalkeeper Samuel Nartey in post for Maxbees.
Their pressure however paid of in the 51st
minute when Francis Mantey crossed the ball to Albert Nkansah who was lurking
around the goal area to slot in.
Both teams wasted many goal scoring chances in
the second half with Maxbees being the worst offenders as goals which could
easily be scored were either shot at keeper David Sharpe or was over the goal
bar.
GRi…/
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Sekondi (Western Region) 08 October 2001 -
Sekondi Hasaacas drew one all with visiting Obuasi Goldfields in their match
played at the Gyandu Park on Sunday.
Hassacas attacked in bursts early in the game
but misused several scoring chances due to lack of coordination upfront. Goldfields
went ahead in the 40th minute when Ofoso Amoah thundered a shot into the net.
After the goal, Goldfields redoubled their
efforts while Hasaacas struggled fruitlessly to regain control until the
referee whistled for the end of the first half.
Back from recess, the match became very hot as
the two teams contested every ball. Hasaacas appeared to have more possession
but once again, they failed to make use of their scoring opportunities.
In the 80th minute, Frank Turkson took a
powerful free-kick which hit the goalpost of Goldfields but the ball bounced
back into play and was cleared form the penalty area.
Issa Mohammed however equalised for Hasaacas in
the 88th minute to save the home side from disgrace.
With this result, both teams remain safe in the
league though they have no championship chances. Hasaacas are now on 31 points
while Goldfields have 30.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 08 October 2001 - Mr Ben
Kuofie, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said plans are far
advanced to overhaul the senior national team, the Black Stars with young
talents after the African Cup of Nations in Mali.
He said the move is to raise a team, worthy of
making an impact in the 2004 Olympics in Athens and qualifying for the 2006
World Cup to be hosted by Germany.
Addressing a press conference during a one-day
clinic organised by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for sports journalists
in Accra, the FA chairman said selection into the new team would, primarily be
based on talent and age so that players who are picked would not be downhill
when the competitions commence.
Mr Kuofie said he wanted a very young team --
average of 24 - to play the qualifiers and that selection would be opened to
boys between the ages 18 and 19 who would be the pioneers of a-five-year
development programme.
He said he intends to forge a closer working
relationship with the Ministry of Education who are in close contact with boys
in those age-brackets and ensure that their progress is monitored.
"I
have realised that our boys burnout early due to the fact that most of them
reduce their ages to gain selection into the junior teams and this practice,
has over the years, deprived the country of their talents"
"This does not mean that the team is
closed to other talented players within the age limit, who are playing
well."
Mr Kuofie said he has therefore decided to
allow the same technical crew to handle the national under 20 and 23 teams. He
named Mr John Eshun and Malik Jabir as the coaches who would be responsible for
both teams to ensure some level of continuity towards preparations for the
World Youth Championship and the Olympic Games.
On the technical personnel of all the national
teams, he said all those selected to head any of the teams would be given a
one-year performance contract to ensure that only those who meet the FA's
expectations are retained.
GRi…/
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