League Day 1: Faisal zoom to the top

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 08 April 2002 - Kumasi King Faisal started their campaign in this year's premier league on a bright note by white-washing Okwahu United 3-1 in their encounter. The win pushed the monarchs to top of the league table at the end of Week 1.

After a 1-1 score at half time, Faisal resumed the second half on a strong note scoring two goals in a seven-minute blitz through Joe Agyemang Snr in the 46th minute while offensive midfielder, Kwabena Poku increased the tally in the 51st minute.

Joe Agyemang could have hit the hat-trick if he had been a little imaginative but he shot feebly into the waiting hands of Okwahu's goalkeeper Festus Dauda in the 50th minute.

Faisal gave an early indication of their determination to carry the day when Agyemang powered them into a third minute lead after receiving a neat pass from the right. Okwahu accepted the challenge opened their attack that gave them the equaliser in the 16th minute through Osei Bonsu when he headed home a cornerkick from the left.

The game then became a ding-dong affair until the 31st minute when Joe Agyemang fired a fierce shot at close range for goalkeeper Dauda to tip to corner. Determined to carry the day, Faisal resumed the second half with vigour and restored their lead in the 56th minute when Agyemang who was hovering in the goal area pushed the ball into the net from a rebound from goalkeeper Dauda.

Kotoko and Liberty draw in opener

Fabulous Kumasi Asante Kotoko launched their campaign towards annexing their first premier league title after a decade in the "wilderness" with an impressive 2-2 drawn game with Dansoman-based Liberty

Professionals in the opener of this season's non-sponsored league at the Accra Sports Stadium, on Saturday.

But an inept on the part of referee F.K. Mensah was a minus to the otherwise beautiful game, which recorded just a yellow card at the closing stages of the match.

Liberty lost control to Kotoko immediately after kick off and Joe Sam's pile driver in the first minute, which was pushed to corner by goalkeeper Owusu Banahene, brought the teaming Kotoko fans to their feet. A minute after that wake up call, skipper Godwin Ablordey powered the Kumasi lads ahead with an immaculate penalty kick.

A defender of Liberty in the penalty area handled Michael Osei's finisher after a combination with Nana Arhin Duah. Liberty could hardly put their acts together until the last quarter of the first half but could not equalise.

Smallish Stephen Oduro further boosted the hopes of the Kotoko fans after that early goal with two thunderbolts in the 14th and 20th minutes. He delivered a 30-metre volley, which was expertly parried to safety by Banahene and another six minutes later, after a one-two with new signing Nana Arhin Duah.

Liberty started the second half a rejuvenated side and could have cancelled the lead in the 46th minute but John Paintsil's header in front of goal went wide. Stocky Papa Arko levelled for Liberty in the 47th minute. He shoved Kotoko's Isaac Owusu off a 50-50 ball, raced with it and chipped it over onrushing goalkeeper Osei Boateng.

Referee Mensah endorsed his own ineptitude in the 51st minute after he failed to caution Arhin Duah for intentionally elbowing keeper Banahene for the second time. The player had earlier elbowed the goalkeeper in the first half which was overlooked by referee Mensah. Banahene could not recover and Cudjoe Addo took his place two minutes later. As if those misbehaviours were not enough to merit a card, Arhin Duah intentionally used his hand in an attempt to score in the 72nd minute, which was also ignored by referee Mensah.

Papa Arko made it two for Liberty with a powerful header in the 82nd minute but Michael Osei scored the equaliser for Kotoko with a diving header five minutes later from a lob orchestrated by Oduro.
At the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium, Skipper Kenneth Ababio celebrated his captainship in a grand style when he powered Obuasi Goldfields to a 1-0 win over visiting Dawu Youngsters in their first week premier league match played at the Len Clay Stadium.
It was a 34th minute dazzling header from the skipper, which beat goalkeeper Amoaful Anthony for the opener which turned out to be the match winner for the miners. Both teams were not impressive throughout the game even though the miners came close to scoring in the 20th, 49th and 50th minutes while the visitors also threw away their chances in the 65th and 81st minutes.

B.A. United, Gt Olympics in pulsating draw

The Sunyani Coronation Park was deadlocked when homesters, Brong Ahafo United and visiting Accra Great Olympics fought to a 1-1 standstill in their encounter. Both goals come in the first half.
James Amartey scored for Olympics in the 23rd minute when he exploited a defensive blunder to beat goalkeeper Ransford Kudjoe in post for United for the opener. United, back into the elite division after a two-year sojourn in the lower First Division, counter attacked incessantly but wasted four goal-scoring chances through erratic shooting up front.
They however, grabbed the equaliser through a penalty converted by Andrew Kwame in the 40th minute. The two sides fought all out on resumption but neither could score again. At the Sekondi Gyandu Park, local side Sekondi Hasaacas pipped Berekum Arsenals 1-0 to snatch the three points at stake.

Hearts show determination for a sixth

Defending champions, Hearts of Oak do not seem ready to let go the league title as they began its defence with a clinical 2-0 victory over unyielding Tano Bafoakwa.
After a barren first half Charles Taylor struck in the 69th minute with a beautiful curling freekick from about 30 metres out from the right flank and Laryea Kingston made it a pair of classic goals when he faked a pull out before swerving the ball beyond the reach of flapping Dauda Mohammed in goal for the visitors.
Hearts had earlier missed a fine opportunity to score when right wing back Hassan Mohammed struck the bar in the 80th minute and the rebound was again thundered against the cross bar by substitute Adja Tetteh. The defending champions had more possession in the first half as Bofoakwa sat back to soak pressure and attack on the break.
On a few occasions, they penetrated the rear of the champions but failed to create clear chances while the Phobians got close to goal but were denied by their own naivety in attack or the brilliance of keeper Dauda Mohammed and his defenders, particularly, Baba Sule and Kwesi Owusu who played beyond the ordinary. The tactics paid off and the first half ended goal-less.
Hearts replaced a lethargic Kenneth Sarpong on the right flank with Awuley Quaye jnr, Massawudu Yahaya with Adja Tetteh and George Eraino with Emmanuel Donkor and the changes raised their game, culminating in swift runs down the right by Kingston with support coming from Taylor and Kwame Antwi, who was particularly impressive on the right side of defence.
Two minutes into the half, Awuley cracked a left footer just wide and on the hour mark Donkor messed up with a chance when he chipped the ball off the upright after Awuley had set him up from the right. The Hearts aggression was evident from this stage and it came as a matter of course when Taylor broke the deadlock and Kingston provided the icing with a great goal.

At the Koforidua Sports Stadium, newly promoted Power F/C held Suhun Maxbees Football Club to a 1-1 draw. Maxbees took the lead in the 39th minute through their outside right Shaibu Issah that gave his side the edge till half time. But back from recess, Power were more determined and pinned their opponents to their half. It came as no surprise as in the 67th minute they scored the equaliser Samuel Owusu’s header to a freekick.