POJOSS lifts VALCO soccer tournament trophy

Pope John's Secondary School (POJOSS) Koforidua emerged champions of the sixth VALCO Senior Secondary Schools Tournament when they beat defending champions Aggrey Memorial Zion Secondary School by a lone at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday. POJOSS, who themselves won the tournament 1999 for their effort took home an amount of six million cedis, a trophy, medals, a set of jersey, four footballs and football boots while Aggrey Memorial received five million cedis, medals, four footballs, a set of jersey, football boots for being the runners up.

In an action packed game, witnessed by Mr. Edward Osei-Kwaku, the Sports Minister, Directors from the Education Ministry, Headmasters of participating schools and students from both schools, saw both teams trying to score early goals but poor shooting and good goalkeeping ensure the score remained barren.

Aggrey had the first sniff at goal as early as the fourth minute when Joseph Amisah laid a pass for Jeremiah Arthur whose shot went wide. A minute later Sarfo Micheal of POJOSS received a pass from Aaron Osei-Bonsu but found Aggrey's Keeper Mahmud Abdullai equal to the task as he saved a goal bound shot.

The action continued through with both sides making dangerous moves into each others territory but were not able to convert scoring chances to end the half scoreless.

Aggrey came back into the second half a more determined side and dominated the early exchanges, reducing POJOSS to a chasing pack as they as they came under increased pressure. POJOSS withered the early storm as they contained the pressure, using quick breaks to a much greater effect. POJOSS had their break in the 62nd minute when Godfred Twum, the tournament's goal king with four goals, pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the Aggrey box before scheming past defence men of Aggrey and put the ball behind keeper Abdullai for the match winning goal.

The defending champion's reply was emphatic as they launched a series of attacks into POJOSS area but were unlucky when Joseph Ammisah's shot hit the post in the 63rd a minute.

Again in the 68th minute, Samuel Dadzie pierced into the defence area of POJOSS after combining effectively with Ahmed Acquah, but the equaliser still remained elusive before class one referee Charles Dowuona brought proceeding to a close.

On the way to the finals POJOSS beat Apam Secondary School 5-0, Tamale Business Secondary School (BISCO) by a lone goal and Navrongo Secondary School (NAVASCO) 2-0 in the semi finals. Aggrey defeated Osei Kyeretwie Secondary School (OKESS) 3-1, beat NAVASCO by a lone goal and beat Apam Secondary School 3-0 in the semis. Earlier in the third place play off, Apam Secondary School trounced Navrongo Secondary School (NAVASCO) 6-3. Apam received four million cedis, medals, three footballs, a set of jersey and shin guards.

NAVASVCO were presented with three million cedis, three balls and a set of jerseys. NAVASCO were awarded the fair play trophy award and a cash prize of 100,000 cedis. Frank Boateng of Aggrey was voted the tournament's best player and was given 200, 000 cedis for his prize.

In a speech Mr. Edward Osei-Kwaku expressed his satisfaction at the level of performance and praised the sponsors VALCO for coming up with such a laudable idea.