GPL Round-Up: Hearts, Kotoko And Olympics All Record Wins As Medeama And Liberty Share Points
Ghana Premier League week 23 was full of action and entertainment. And if you did miss any of the scores or key points, myactiveonline.com Clifford Adumbire comes your way with all the details. All teams observed a minute silence before the matches in commemoration of the May 9 2001 disaster at the Accra Sports Stadium when 126 fans died during a match between Hearts of Oak and Kotoko. May they REST IN PEACE!
Friday Opener
West African Football Academy, WAFA welcome Accra Great Olympics to their Sogakope stadium for the week 23 opener. Both sides came into the match with wins in their last outings, WAFA seeing off Berekum Chelsea away from home by 2-3 and Olympics beating city neighbours Liberty Professionals by 2-0 at home. Gladson Awako put the Dade boys in the lead in the 14th minute and they went for the breaking holding a lone goal lead over the Academy boys.
After recess, Great Olympics doubled their goals tally courtesy of an own goal by Konandu Yiadom on the hour mark. The home side then sprung into life and halved the dificit10 minutes later with Enock Asubonteng getting the goal. They then pulled level 7 mimutes later with a goal from Justus Tortsutsey. Olympics snatched the winner in the 4th minute of added time through Abdul Munasiru.
Saturday Thrillers
Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Dreams FC squared up at Kotoko’s new home at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium. Dreams coming on the back of a 2-0 win of giants Hearts of Oak were all hopeful of causing another upset but this time on away grounds. Mariano Barreto’s men had different ideas and were also seeking to build on their lone goal success at Legon Cities last week. The visitors drew first blood in the 38th minute through Emmanuel Ocran from the penalty spot but the lead only last 4 minutes as Brazillian striker Michael Vinicius pulled parity. The Porcupine Warriors then shot into the lead after recess through Abdul Ganiyu and Andy Kumi then put the game beyond the Still Believe boys with 10 minutes of regulation time to play.
Sunday Goalfest
Inter Allies returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Elmina Sharks. Two second-half goals from Richard Kwabena Antwi in the 50th minute and Andy Okpe in the 77th minute secured all points for the relegation candidates as they fight for survival. They remain 8 points below safety and Sharks are just 3 points away from the drop zone.
Liberty Professionals held Medeama to a goalless draw at home. Medeama who went into the match needing a win to maintain their lead at the top of the table failed to get inspiration to get the needed win over the Scientific Soccer Lads who were looking to put their 2-0 defeat to Olympics last time out behind them. Medeama dropped to second behind Kotoko on the table following the draw.
Diawisie Taylor and Reginald Thompson inspired Karela past Bechem United at the CAM Park at Anyinase. The first half ended with both teams level on goals after Kofi Agbesimah’s 28th minute equalizer of the Diawisie Taylor’s 18th minute opener. Reginald Thompson however ensured the home side claimed maximum points with a 75th minute goal.
Ashanti Gold could not let home advantage count in their favour as they were held by Eleven Wonders to a 1-1 draw at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on Sunday. David Sandan Abagna scored in the 39th minute to put the Miners in the lead. They held on to that lead until two minutes into added time when Abass Ganiu snatched the all-important equalizer for the travelling party.
Aduana Stars were at home to Berekum Chelsea and their home advantage was made to count as they returned to winning ways following last week’s loss to WAFA in a five goal thriller. Chelsea however would have to wait further to return to winning ways after Benjamin Tweneboah consigned them to a defeat with a 46th minute goal.
Accra Hearts of Oak earned maximum points against King Faisal at the Accra Sports Stadium. A massive relief following their 2-0 defeat to Dreams FC in week 22. Kwadwo Obeng Jnr shot the Phobians into the lead in the 57th minute before Daniel Afriyie secured the points for the ‘Continental Masters’ with 10 minutes of regulation time to play.
The game between Ebusua Dwarfs and Legon Cities was canceled after the first half when the Royals led by one goal. The referee refused to return for the second half saying he was threatened by supporters of the home side and some ‘officials’. He and his assistants including the match commissioner said they were not safe and thus called off the match at the Cape Coast stadium.
The Stats
Just as the previous weeks, there were goals at all centres except the game between Liberty Professionals and Medeama SC. WAFA again was involved in a five goal thriller only that this time they were outscored by their opponents by one goal as they lost to Great Olympics.
There were 19 goals from 8 matches with the home sides scoring 13 and the away teams 6. There were 2 drawn games and 6 wins with only one win for the travelling teams.
By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com
