Group calls for removal of Real Tamale United management
Accra
(Greater Accra) 11 March 2002 - Ghana's representative in the sixth CAF's
Champions League, Accra Hearts of Oak, made a shaky start in the 1/16th
preliminary stage of the of the competition when they were held to a 1-1 drawn
game by Stade Malien of Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, and are
unlikely to qualify to the money zone.
It would be
the second year in succession if the Phobians fail to go past the first round
of the preliminary stage. They were hit by a similar fate last year when Etoile
du Congo knocked them out after conquering Africa in the year 2000. But it was
clear from the kick off the absence of three-time goal king Ishmael Addo and
his colleague Emmanuel Osei Kuffour who were very instrumental in the Hearts
success story in 2000 was being felt.
Two players
tasked to step into their shoes, Laryea Kingston and Awuley Quaye Junior, both
midfielders but now being converted as attackers, could hardly pose any
challenge to the youthful but very athletic Malians. The only bright spot in
Hearts, Charles Taylor, who was a torn in the flesh of the visiting team in the
early stages of the game was completely eclipsed after the recess as the lanky
Malians, seven of who featured for their senior national team in CAN 2002 had a
field day.
Barely
eight minutes after kick off, Gueye Boubacar nearly silence the vociferous
Hearts fans but his goal bound shot was scooped by Hassan Mohammed and in the
15th minute Traore Alain Cluade's cool tap from a lob was parried to safety by
goalkeeper James Nanor. Kingston brought the fans to their feet with a
scintillating back heel into the net after winger Don Bortey's splitting runs
down the right flanks in the 23rd minute. An elated Kingston joined by his
colleagues, celebrated the goal with an "ampe" while the fans cheered
on.
But just
after the goal, Kingston became more of a liability than an asset to his side
such that all he could do was to foul his opponents while his partner up front
Awuley Quaye was chasing his own shadow. Urged on by their Ghanaian Coach,
Abdul Razak, the Malians turned the heat on the Phobians and in the 23rd minute
Berthe Lassina out jumped Hassan in an aerial tussle, controlled the ball with
the chest and fired a grounder into the far corner for the equalizer.
The stadium
went dead immediately after the goal and then on, the Malians played with much
confident to the chagrin of the fans. Suraju Mohammed, formerly of Real Tamale
United who kept the post for the visitors was yellow carded for delays while
Hassan had his turn a minute later for reckless tackle.
Emmanuel
Donkor who came on for Awuley Quaye brought some excitements to his side and
spearheaded a last minute onslaught but his efforts were thwarted by the
gallant Malians. In the 89th minute, Kone Idrissa nearly shot his side up but
fired off target with only goalkeeper Nanor to beat.
Line-up:
(Hearts); James Nanor, Jacob Nettey, Richard Nii Noi, Mohammed Hassan, Daniel
Quaye, Lawrence Adjah Tetteh/Massawudu Yahaya, Edmund Copson, Bernard Don
Bortey, Laryea Kingston/George Eranio, Awuley Quaye Jnr/Emmanuel Donkor,
Charles Taylor.
(Stade
Malien) Suraju Mohamed, Cisse Baba, Diallo Boucader,Gueye Boubacar, Kone
Iddrissa/Traore Braimah, Coulibally Drissa, kouma Alfouseyni, Dembelle
Soulleymane/Bakayoko Doada, Berthe
Lassina/Coulibally Henry, Fofana Sekou, Traore Alain Claude.
GRi…/
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Obuasi
(Ashanti Region) 11 March 2002 - Ghana's representative in this year's CAF
competition Obuasi Goldfields began their in-roads into Africa on bad note as
they managed to a thin 4-3 win over Satellite Club of Guinea in their first
match played at the Len Clay Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The score
line was a disappointment for many fans who thronged the stadium while the
Guineans jubilated in satisfaction with the results. It was Goldfields who took
the lead in the 24 minute when Eric Boakye's freekick zoomed straight into the
net for the opener. The goal galvanised the entire team as Goldfields probed
for more.
In the 30th
minute hard pressed Camara Musa's back pass fetched a corner to the miners but
it was wasted. Undaunted the Ghanaians searched for more goals but wasted three
cornerkicks in the 33rd, 41st and 42nd minutes. Goldfields raised the tally to
two on the 45th minute mark when Asare Boateng stunned the stadium with a goal
scored from the touchline.
In the 54th
minute Eric Boakye was fouled by Signag Akua Nabeag and was shown the yellow
card and Boakye's resultant freekick was connected by Frank Awuah. The Guineans
substituted Signag with Ousmane Camara in the 60th minute but it
was
Goldfields who scored four minutes later when Aminu Musah's strike found the
net.
Goldfield
became complacent in the last stages of the game and the Guineans took
advantage of this to bang in three goals in the 79th, 80th and 89th minutes
through Kaba Mara, Camara Mohammed and substitute Ousmane Camara.
Meanwhile,
Kumasi Asante Kotoko will play Athletic Sonangol of Angola on Monday due to the
late arrival of the Angolans. The match was scheduled for Sunday but a delayed
flight prevented the Angolans from making it early to Ghana.
GRi…/
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Tamale (Northern Region) 11 March 2002 - A group calling itself the Progressive Supporters of Real Tamale United (RTU) football club, has appealed to the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and board of directors of the club to remove the present management.
Mr Adams Salifu Landin, spokesman of the group, told a news conference in Tamale on Sunday, that the present management team led by Alhaji Adam Munkaila had nothing new to offer to propel the club forward. He said even though RTU is a limited liability company, it has not been managed in a professional way adding, "Alhaji Munkaila's administration is characterised by lack of transparency and accountability".
"For instance, they have never convened any form of congress or general meeting since they took over the club seven years ago", he said. Mr Landin said the recruitment and transfer of players had been shrouded in secrecy by management apparently due to the 'fallout' they get through such exercises.
The spokesman alleged that Alhaji Munkaila's administration has sold the clubhouse of RTU and has rented yet another meant for the playing body and wondered whether there was any wisdom in his action. Mr Landi said consequently, Chairman Munkaila had also turned his personal office into the club's secretariat and collects rent from the club.
He accused the management of encouraging violence, which led to the banning of the club twice from playing at home in two consecutive seasons. The ban nearly caused the club's relegation, he said. The spokesman also accused the management of poor human relations with the players, which he said had resulted in the club's poor performance.
GRi…/
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