One-match decider for league title

Accra, Feb. 2, GNA - Congress, the highest decision making body of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has endorsed a one match decider between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak for the determination of the over all champion of the 2004 Premier League. The decision for the one match decider was endorsed at the Congress of the GFA in Accra on Wednesday with the match fixed for March 13 at a venue yet to be decided upon.

Kotoko and Hearts emerged champions of Zone A and B respectively in the 2004 novelty Zonal League.


The Accra and Kumasi Sports Stadiums are the two venues under consideration, but this will have to be decided through a ballot system to be carried live on the national television.


The match will be the second time the two sides would be meeting in the year after the two-leg final match in the first edition of the 2004 Confederation Cup early this year.


Meanwhile, there are indications that the proposed match will start the boycott process by the league clubs against Kumasi Asante Kotoko for its sudden withdrawal from the on-going Coca Cola Top Four Tournament.


According to key members of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) who attended the Congress, the match will be the first step in implementing the decision taken by GHALCA against Kotoko for their withdrawal.

GHALCA on Monday urged all the 14 Premier league clubs to boycott any form of friendly or competitive matches with Kumasi Asante Kotoko following the withdrawal of the latter from the competition.


Mr Kudjo Fiano, Administrative Manager of GHALCA told the GNA Sports that there is no way the Association will compromise on its position as they are determined to carry out their decision to the letter.


He said the Association is aware of the reconciliatory moves being made by Kotoko towards the Clubs but "Until such a step is made official, our decision to avoid any form of contacts with them still holds."


Hearts, the 2004 Confederation Cup Champions have already endorsed the position of GHALCA and are ready to boycott the supposed game against Kotoko.


Mr Thomas Okine, Chief Executive Officer of the Club in a series of interviews, noted that Hearts is in total support of the decision taken by GHALCA hence they will boycott the March 13 match.