RTU hold Okwawu

Accra, Sept 4, GNA - Real Tamale United (RTU) managed to hold Okwawu United to a one all draw in a 19th week Kinapharma Premier League match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday. Okwawu, who are placed at the bottom of the table took the challenge to their opponents right from the first minute and invaded the RTU defensive third but their strikers failed to convert any of the scoring chances they created.

After surviving the pressure for almost 30 minutes, the visitors launched a quick counter into the vital area of Okwawu and succeeded in getting the opener through Alhassan Weamah in the 30th minute, when he headed home an in swinger from Philip Amaoko.

RTU could have made it two through Weamah in a similar fashion in the 45th minute but his diving header missed target. RTU held on to the lead, till the end of the first half.

Okwawu threw everything into the game in the second half with skipper George Tutu joining Elvis Opoku and Mohamed Polo in midfield to supply balls to the attackers who on many occasions, were rendered ineffective by the RTU defence built around veterans like Alex Kyeremanteng, Bobby Abdul Rahman and with youthful Umar Yakubu and Kwabena Boateng.

The solid RTU defence yielded to pressure in the 76th minute when Opoku weaved through them, before laying a pass for Shaibu Issah to tap in for the equalizer.

The hosts piled on more pressure to get the match winner, but the visitors who seemed to be satisfied with a draw remained resolute and managed to end the game with one goal apiece.

Coach Mumuni Gamel of RTU was disappointed with the score-line when he spoke to the GNA Sports in a post match interview. "We could have won this match after holding on to the lead for the greater part of the game."

He said his side conceded the late goal as a result, of a slight defensive blunder but added that they will make amends in their next match against Accra Great Olympics in Bolgatanga on Sunday. 04 Sept, 03