Soccer News of Monday, 23 July 2001
Source: .
Kotoko 2-0 Olympics
Goldfields 1-0 Arsenals
Hearts 2-0 Faisal
Okwahu 1-2 Hasaacas
Ghapoha 1-2 Adansiman
Liberty 1-1 Maxbees
RTU 2-0 Dawu
Kwaebibirem 1-0 Bofoakwa
Accra's Olympics lose six on the trot
Accra Great Olympics lost their sixth consecutive league game when they succumbed 0-2 to leaders Asante Kotoko at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. Kotoko's victory on Sunday now takes their points tally to 25 with an outstanding match to play.
In Accra, defending league champions, Accra Hearts of Oak gave their fans a 2-0 victory to savour over King Faisal, saving coach Cecil Jones Attuquayefio from any further physical attacks as handed out to him last Wednesday by Hearts fans after drawing against Adansiman United. Hearts have three outstanding matches to honour.
Elsewhere, GHAPOHA FC’s unimpressive run worsened as they lost 1-2 at home to Adansiman United.
Okwawu United also failed to make use of their home advantage as they bowed out 1-2 to Hasaacas at Nkawkaw.
Real Tamale United made good use of their own turf as they dismissed Dawu Youngsters 2-0 while Obuasi Goldfields defeated Berekum Arsenals with the only goal of the game.
Liberty Professionals failed to take the spoils on offer when they were held 1-1 by Maxbees FC in Accra, played on Saturday.
The defending champions maintain their second position on the table on 20 points five less than archrivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko who beat Great Olympics 2-0 in Kumasi. King Faisal are 12 on the table on 10 points while Olympics are rooted at the bottom on seven points.
Hearts kicked off under pressure from irate fans who have vowed to vent their spleen on the boys if they lost following a string of poor performances; but it was King Faisal who seized the midfield and dictated the pace of the game.
Such was Faisal midfield domination that the front men of Hearts had to be drawn to the midfield to help their ailing colleagues.
Against the run of play, Hearts nearly took the lead in the 12 minute when Ishmael Addo latched on a lose ball at the edge of the box but his direct shot was punched by goalkeeper Nicolas Opoku Ware.
Hearts goalkeeper James Nanor nearly gifted Faisal the opening goal in the 21st when he stumbled over a lose ball and fell but the defence quickly rallied to clear the danger.
The Africa Champions came into the game getting to the end of the first half and came close to scoring in the 41 minute when Edmund Copson header from a Charles Taylor's corner sailed past the top corner of the post.
Hearts came back from the break a rejuvenated side with the inclusion of Awuley Quaye Junior who came on for Owusu Afriyie to seal the leaking midfield.
His presence yielded dividend a minute after coming on as he initiated a move from midfield for Osei Koffour to finish off in the 46th minute.
Two minutes later, Kuffour nearly made it two, but his glancing header missed the posts narrowly.
The resurgent Phobians went all out as they pelted the Faisal goal area at will but the final finishing was poor.
Nanor who had a fine day especially in the second half pulled out a wonderful double save in the 70th and 72nd minutes to deny substitute Abubakari Yakuza from scoring the equaliser.
In the 73rd minute Kuffour made it two after a beautiful one-two with teammate Ishmael Addo.
Faisal fought hard but could not find a way through the Hearts defence to redeemed at least a goal.