Bukari misses boat for honours

Accra, Jan. 23, GNA - Sadat Bukari of Kpando Heart of Lions could have been adjudged man of the match in the second match of the Coca Cola Top Four Tournament had the game between his side and Kumasi Asante Kotoko that was played at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium travelled the full 90 minutes.

Kotoko abandoned the game with only just three minutes of play left after referee J.O. Lamptey awarded a penalty against them in the 87th minute, which the players and officials vehemently protested against.

Bukari who had a brilliant day, scored the first goal of the match for his side in the 47th minute.

Inquiries made by the GNA Sports from a member of the panel responsible for the determination of the Player of the Match, revealed that the player was in a commanding lead as at the time that the game was abandoned and would have been declared the man of the match had the game come to an end.

According to the source, goalkeeper Mozart Adjetey also of Lions who put up an impressive performance on the day, was next to Bukari in the ratings and close to contention for the award but for the goal that he conceded in the match.

The abandonment of the match by Kotoko has therefore denied Bukari the chance of taking home a Gheto Blaster and Coca Cola products, which are the prizes instituted by the award winners after each match for the top player of the game.

Eric Gawu of King Faisal on Saturday picked the Player of the Match award in their encounter against Accra Hearts of Oak at the Kumasi sports stadium when the two teams tied at one all at the end of the game.