Arhin Duah says Kotoko's defeat likely to affect his performance
Near tragedy, as Braimah Kamoko chokes Edem Kossi in round one
Arhin Duah says Kotoko's defeat likely to
affect his performance
Accra (Greater Accra) 23 July 2002 - Nana Arhin Duah, the ace striker of Kumasi Asante Kotoko has said that his side’s loss to Accra Hearts of Oak last Sunday would adversely affect his performance in Kotoko's subsequent games in the league.
The prolific striker, who could not feature in the titanic encounter due to an injury he sustained while the reds play in the just-ended four-club "Vodacom Cup" tourney in South Africa, told the GNA Sports that the defeat has dealt him a big blow and dampened his spirit. "It is simply unimaginable that we have to lose in such a massive way. It's such a big pain and very difficult to come to terms with," he added.
On whether his side loss could be attributed to his absence in the team, he declined to admit that it could have been a factor saying "I do not want to take any thing away from my colleagues who equally have the ability to glitter just like me; we only lost to a better side."
When asked if his side, might have lost the match out of weary from the Vodacom tourney, the player said their participation in South Africa had nothing to do with the defeat but said " the Phobians played a determined game, took their chances and carried the day deservingly."
When asked on whether he was still hopeful that his side could still win the league, as any typical Ghanaian football fan, the player did a number of calculations to indicate that should Hearts drop some vital points whiles Kotoko win all their matches Kotoko could win the ultimate adding that anything can happen in football.
"Kotoko is not the only club that can beat Hearts. The Phobians can lose at a point to other clubs whiles we win." He insisted that Kotoko is the best club in the country and would therefore do whatever possible to salvage its image.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 23 July 2002 - There was a near ring tragedy at the Accra Sports Stadium early Saturday morning when Braimah Komoko alias "Bukom Banku" decked Togolese challenger Edem Kossi in the first of their scheduled 12 round super middleweight challenge contest.
Brimah mowed down his opponent with a murderous left hook, one minute 22 seconds in the round and as referee Godfred Cobblah did his counting, ringside doctors, Daniel Carl Sonne and Samuel Armah Quaye rushed into the ring to revive Kossi who slept motionless in a supine position, with his jaws glued together.
It took the two doctors about six minutes to bring the Togolese back to life, by which time, he had been counted out, raising Bukom Banku's unbeaten run to 10 knockouts in as many fights.
The contest, which was originally billed as a West African title fight, was re-designated a challenge fray because the Togolese had weighed two kilograms above the stipulated 77 kilograms.
Brimah dictated the pace from the start with power jabs and three right shots, which did not appear to hurt his opponent. Kossi fired two good shots at Brimah in a mix-up and the Banku man appeared infuriated, replying with a wicked left hook which ended the fight to the disappointment of fans who were anxious to have their money's worth.
The Bukom slugger was so sure of his punch, when it connected, that he began his victory celebrations before the referee counted three. In one of the under cards another Bukom ring artist, Joshua Okine also known as Bukom Tsatsu recorded a third round knockout win over another Togolese opponent, Kwame Bukor in a scheduled 12 round international welterweight contest.
The bout, which was supposed to be a championship fight, was made a challenge contest, after Bukor had weighed in at 68 kilograms instead of the maximum 67 for his category.
Despite the weight advantage of the Togolese, Okine was able to dominate the fight right from the start, as he mounted intensive pressure on his opponent, hitting him hard on the body. Bukor held his guard high and prevented Okine from connecting to his head as he danced round the ring, avoiding action and ducking low anytime he was cornered.
The Togolese could not continue with his defensive style in the second round as he allowed Okine to land straight punches on his face and head. He appeared stunned and dazed and went down on his knees for a mandatory count of eight.
Bukor recovered in the next round and managed to throw some punches but he could not sustain his firepower, thereby giving the Ghanaian the opportunity to continue with his dominance over him. The visitor visited the canvas for the second time in the third round after Okine had connected a powerful over-head punch to his face after drilling in a lot of punches to his body and midsection.
Though Bukor beat the count, referee Bob Sackey stopped the fight as the Togolese could not put himself into a boxing posture when the referee confronted him. Bukor protested mildly but was prevailed upon by his corner man to accept the decision in good faith and live to fight another day.
In other fights of the night, Emmanuel Allotey gained a unanimous points decision over Joshua Laryea in a super bantamweight contest over six rounds while Isaac Sowah got a 2-1 split verdict against Philip Kotey in a six round welterweight contest.
Daniel Sackey gained a first round technical knockout victory over debutante Kwesi Tuu in a super middleweight fight and Malik Jabir posted a fifth round technical knockout win over Togolese foe Gakpa Kokuvi in their eight round featherweight contest.
The corner of the Togolese threw in the towel at the end of the fourth round to save their boxer from further punishment, as he had become a punching bag and offered very little resistance.
The fight between Alfred Tetteh Junior and George Amuzu was declared a technical draw as the two boxers got deep cuts on their eyelids as a result of a clash of heads in round one.
After a critical examination of the cuts by the ring doctors, they decided that both boxers could not continue the fight. It was another disappointing night for professional boxing in Ghana as most of the bouts were mismatches, which denied fans their money's worth.
GRi…/
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