Ashgold wins SWAG Cup

Obuasi, Dec. 18 GNA - Obuasi Ashgold defeated Kumasi Asante Kotoko by a lone goal to lift the 2006 edition of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Cup at the Len Clay Stadium on Sunday. The defeat ends the two-year reign of Kotoko who have won the trophy on two consecutive times and are on record to be the only side with the highest number of trophies in the history of the annual competition.

By the victory, the 'Miners' also made up for the loss at the hands of Kotoko in the Premiership, which saw them relinquishing the top position to the 'Fabulous lads.'

In a balanced first half game, Ashgold made the best out of it when Cameroonian import Valentine Atem tapped in a cross from Shaibu Yakubu after he dribbled the ball past two Kotoko defenders before setting up the opener in the 35th minute.

With their pride at stake, Kotoko responded positively to the challenge but their efforts at cancelling the lead remained a dream. Holding on to their lead, Ashgold defended jealously as well as searched for an insurance goal, which never came.

The second half saw more dominance from the host. Their midfield of Alhaji Saanie, Mubarak Wakaso and James Tagoe made penetration almost an impossible task for Kotoko and rather provided the fluid for their men to shuffle with much ease.

Opoku Agyeman and Atem were a constant threat to the central defensive pair of Kenneth Ababio and Murtala Mohamed while Joe Hendricks and Tony Baffoe constructed a solid central defensive barrier for Ashgold.

On occasions when Kotoko managed to break through the Ashgold defence, George Owu was always at hand to save the situation. For Ashgold, they just lacked what was necessary to increase the tally, as most of their attempts upfront went wayward. It became obvious that the 'Miners' would end the day as victors but with just a goal, which of course, was enough for them to carry home the giant trophy.

This came to pass when FIFA referee Alex Kotey signalled for the end of proceedings and attracted a symbolic posture from Coach David Duncan.

With the second finger of the left hand on his lips, he raised the second finger of the right hand up to the sky to summarise his victory. He said in a post match interview that the victory was a result of hard work.