Accra (Greater Accra) 25 Jan.,
Accra (Greater Accra) 25 Jan., Wonder Club Accra Great Olympics failed in their bid to add visiting Cape Coast Dwarfs to their victims as both sides settled for a 1-1 draw in their eighth-week ABC Golden Lager Football league match played at the Accra sports stadium today. Despite losing 0-1 to Tema GHAPOHA last week,, Oly, who beat goldfields 4-3 three weeks ago and Kumasi Asante Kotoko 2-1 a week later, were highly tipped to win the match. However, it was the visitors who launched and early assault on Oly and shot into the lead in the 34th minute through inside right Abdul Razak of the Black Starlet Fame, Right winger Willie Brown's Nice Freek kick, taken outside the penalty area, was excellently headed in the net by Razak. The trend of affairs changed immediately after the goal in Oly's favour but they ended the first half down by one goal. Oly brought on Godwin Arthur-Tay for right winger Ian Acquah in the 46 minute and ten minutes later strike Awudu Ibrahim gave way to Amui Quaye. The changes paid-off for Oly, who continued to pile pressure on Dwarfs whose hard-pressed central defender Philip Oguaah handled the ball in the box for Takoradi-based class one referee J. Wilson-Sey to whistle or a penalty in the 60th minute. Inside left Thomas Otinkorang converted to even scores. Dwarfs substituted left winger Gyimah Friday for Michael Osei immediately after the goal and barely four minutes of going onto the pitch Osei was shown the yellow card for pulling the shirt of an opponent. Dwarfs brought Ben Omaboe for inside left Rafat Ibrahim three minute from the end and with a minute to go, Omaboe has a golden opportunity to win the match for his side but he shot into the hands of Oly's goalie Sam Addo from close range. Superb goalkeeping by Anthony Osei Kwadwo, able supported by good defensive network, enabled Obuasi Goalfields to hold Afienya united to a goalless drawn game in their match played at Tema. Afienya, who started making incursions into their opponents, vital area after the kick-off, earned a free kick in the 27th minute but inside left Abdallah Wadadah's header from right full back Edwin Bediako's kick was saved by goalkeeper Osei Kwadwo. Afienya again came close in the 35th minute but left full back Alfred Fameyeh messed up the change. Goldfields had their bright moment in the 66th minute but inside left Joe Okyere failed to utilise it as his header missed the target narrowly. Both teams were fighting hard for the leader but Afienya, who were slightly on top, failed to make good use of their chances. A 75th-minute goal scored by substitute Ibrahim Mugu enabled Accra Hearts of Oak to beat Swedru all blacks 1-0 in their match played at the Swedru sports stadium. Mugu after receiving a pass from Sanni Wahab at the edge of all Blacks vital area beat their defencemen on the trot and released a powerful low-grounder which beat goalkeeper Robertson for the only goal of the match. watched by a capacity crowd including Mr. Kojo Yankah, central regional Minister and his deputy Mr. Jehu-Appiah. The goal was greeted with deafening cheers by the crowd said to be the largest at the stadium since the league started. But after scoring the goal, Mugu had to be given first aid on the field when the jubilant supporters of hearts who rushed onto the pitch to congratulate him crashed into the player. After a scoreless first half in which both sides played a cautious game, it was hearts who showed signs of carrying the day as they mounted pressure on all blacks defence but most of their shots at goal missed the target. All blacks came into the picture and made some frantic efforts at goal but their Marksman Baba Adamu thrice shot off target from close range. Hearts bounced back into action and snatched the match winner in the 75th minute. Real Tamale United struggled to beat visiting Tema GHAPOHA 1-0 in their match played at the Tamale Kaladan park. GHAPOHA, who kicked off, were determined to upset RTU but against the run of play, substitute Ridwan Iddrisu scored the only goal of the match for the homesters in the 30th minute. GHAPOHA accepted the challenge and made several incursions into the RTU vital area but they lacked the finishing ability. They brought in Bernard Bortey and Robert Amoako for outside right Joseph Mills and outside left Emmanuel Sackey at the beginning of the second half. The visitors took command and raided RTU'S goal area but they found it hard to hit the back of the homesters net. The game was held up for about five minutes when some RTU supporters started throwing stones at assistant referee Tabi Amponsah. When play resumed, RTU pulled out central defender Kenneth Wepare and brought on Rauf Ziblim while Matthew Attiogbe came in for outside left Maaway to strengthen their attack. Despite the changes, it was GHPOHA who still had the upper hand but they could not utilise the many changes they created. For the records, RTU's goalkeeper Isaac Zogah and right half Bobby Abdul-Rahaman and GHAPOHA'a Emmanuel Sackey and Ben kwame were shown the yellow cards. At Sekondi Gyandu park, local Hasaacas and visiting Kumasi Asante Kotoko settled for a goalless draw. gri
