Gala competition ends in confusion

Abesewa (Ash), May 24, GNA - The semi-final gala match between Nsuta Lucky Wonders football club in the Ahafo-Ano South District and Junction Stars of Bechem-Nkwanta in the Tano District of Brong-Ahafo ended abruptly at Abesewa at the weekend.

The incident happened when supporters of Lucky Wonders invaded the pitch during a penalty shoot out to determine a winner for the finals. Junction Stars were leading 4-3 at the time of the incident after both teams had settled for a 3-3 drawn game at regulation time. The winner of the match would have played Detebi football club of Abesewa in the final match.

The gala was organised by Mr Augustine Dabo, the Assemblyman for Abesewa as part of the annual youth durbar of the people in the area and the launching of a calendar of the area.

Seven teams made up of Abesewa Zongo, Youth Stars, Abesewa Simple Winners, Abesewa Detebi, Abesewa New Site football club, Nsuta Lucky Wonders and Junction Stars participated in the gala competition. The confusion broke out when referee E.B. Donkor, the Ahafo-Ano North District Sports Organiser applied the sudden rule to declare Junction Stars the winners when they scored their kick after Nsuta Lucky Wonders missed theirs.

The assemblyman expressed regret that the incident has brought the successful completion of the competition to an abrupt end and advised the participating teams to avoid such violent behaviours in order to cement friendship amongst them.