(Daniel Kenu, GNA Sports Desk)

Accra, Aug. 16, GNA - Hearts of Oak became the heaviest casualty at the end of a tricky first round of the novelty GHALCA special Knock out competition marred by an ugly scene at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Certainly the exit of the Phobians from the competition at the hands of Obuasi AshantiGold would no doubt take some steam out of game but what perhaps need to the checked to endure a successful competition is the rate of rowdyism at the various stadiums.

Players and some officials of B. A. United took the law into their own hands at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday to manhandle Cape Coast-based referee, Joshua Mensah for a seemingly bad officiating. Much as I agree that the referee's performance was not the best, it does not warrant the treatment meted out to him by the B. A. players and officials who lost to Real Sportive on a 2-1 aggregate.

Surprisingly enough, it happened at the full glare of security personnel whose attempt at arresting the chief culprit Abedi Sarfo was halted by his colleagues.

The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), organisers of the competition together with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) should remind everybody that "We are not living in the jungle where there are no laws and order; football like a decorous society are governed by rules and regulation which must be respected."

Subsequently, it would not be out of place if Sarfo is reprimanded to serve as a deterrent to other players.

Sportive would now face an uphill task against the Porcupine Warriors Asante Kotoko on Wednesday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Kotoko had a scary first half against Tano Bofoakwa, conceded two initial goals but roared back to redeem the goals to win on a 6-3 aggregate, having hammered the Sunyani lads 4-1 in the first leg at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

The story would not be different in Kumasi where Olympics come face to face against Alhaji Gruzah's King Faisal. Olympics escaped elimination by the skin of their teeth at the hands of Feyenoord who drilled the Dade boys in a match of their lives but Amui Quaye fetched a lucky goal to book a date with Faisal.

Faisal got to this stage vie a 2-1 aggregate over Sekondi Hasaacas, all goals were netted in the second leg at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Soccer Mountaineers, Okwawu United whose new Mpreaso Brightens Park has become a waterloo for lots of visiting clubs would now have to trek to Obuasi to meet AshantiGold in the first leg second round, perhaps to force an away drawn game in order to take advantage of their home invincibility in the return leg.

Okwawu went past Power F. C. on a 3-2 aggregate recording a 2-1 victory at home to add up to a first leg 1-1 drawn game. Real Tamale United's 4-3 aggregate win over Kpando Heart of Lions had booked them a date with Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals who also recorded the same victory over Berekum Arsenals. RTU would host Liberty in the first leg at the Bolgatanga Park.