Attuquayefio savours 'special occasion'

'Sir' Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, the only man to bring continental success to Hearts of Oak was honoured on Friday when a host of old and new stars played a charity game in Accra to celebrate his legendary status in football.

Members of his Phobian side that won the African Champions League drew 3-3 with a select Black Stars side a the Accra Sports Stadium in a game which also helped raise funds to support the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

The celebrated coach took his seat on the sidelines and savoured every moment of the action packed charity game as he rolled back memories of his many victories at the same grounds.

John Paintsil got a late equaliser to save the blushes of the Black Stars select team at the hands of the 'Friends of Attuquayefio' side.

It's was 'Friends of Attuquayefio' team that drew first blood when Godwin Attram scored after just 15 minutes.

But seven minutes after the opener, Anthony Annan drew the Black Stars level from a spot kick after Baffour Gyan was brought down in the box.

Former Ghana captain, Stephen Appiah restored the lead for the 'Friends of Attuquayefio' team to minutes later to hand them a 2-1 lead after the first half.

Back from the break, Daniel Opare missed the spot for the Black Stars.

The match did not go without drama as play was held up for over five minutes after the flood lights at the Accra Sports Stadium went off.

It all added to the fun and when the lights came back on, it was Kwame Quansah who equalised after Opare’s penalty miss.

Bernard Dong-Bortey, one of the architects of the all-conquering Hearts of Oak set-up coached by Attuquayefio, came off the bench to put his side front again.

But Paintsil ensured that the spoils were shared on the night when he equalised late on in the game.