Soccer-Pope John's win southern sector VALCO tournament

Accra (Greater Accra), 19th April 

Pope John's Secondary School beat Aggrey Memorial Secondary School 1-0 in the final match to win the southern sector second annual Valco schools soccer championships at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

Michael Adjepong scored the only goal in the 19th minute with a powerful shot from close range.

The thrilling encounter ended with both sides playing with 10 men each. Pope John's had their defender, Samuel Laryea sent off in the 35th minute for a bad tackle on an Aggrey attacker while the Cape Coast lads had William Koranteng shown the red card for a similar offence.

Aggrey, who played a determined game in the dying minute in the hope of redeeming the goal, were disappointed as a sudden heavy downpour rendered ball control on the soggy pitch difficult.

Pope John's got to the final by placing second in Zone A with six points. They beat Winneba Secondary, Zone C leaders 1-0 in the semi-finals.

Aggrey, on the other hand, topped Zone B with six points. They beat Kinbu Secondary/Technical, 4-3 on penalties in the semi-finals, ending the regulation time goalless.

Both schools have, so far, qualified to play in the five-team national championship scheduled from May nine to 15 at the Accra Sports Stadium. They comprise two teams each from the Northern and Southern sectors and the defending champions, Accra Academy.

Dr Charles Mensa, Resident Director of Valco said his company is spending 150 million cedis in organising the championships. He said it is through such tournaments that talented players like, the Osei Kofi's, William Evans' and Sam Acquah's could be tapped for the national junior teams. Dr Mensa called on head masters of the various schools to encourage their students to put in their maximum effort to win laurels for their schools.

The eight schools that did not qualify for the grand finale were each presented with a cheque for 400,000 cedis and two footballs.

Twenty-four players have been selected to form the nucleus of the Southern Academicals.

Meanwhile the northern sector tournament, involving 10 schools grouped into three zones, kicks off at the Kumasi Stadium from Monday April 18 to Sunday, April 25.

Zone A is made up of Kumasi Anglican Secondary, Vitting Secondary/Technical, Techiman Secondary and Bolgatanga Secondary Schools.

Wa Secondary, T.I. Ahmadiya and Sunyani Secondary Schools are in Zone B while Opoku Ware Secondary, Tamale Secondary and St Peters Secondary Schools are in Zone C.