Sports News of Thursday, 10 July 1997

Source: --

Obuasi Keeps Title Hopes Alive With Win Over B'kwa

Kumasi: Obuasi Goldfields, gunning for their fourth successive triumph, beat lowly-placed Bofoakwa Tano 4-2 in their match played at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. Bofoakwa, who honoured their home match in Kumasi following a ban on the Sunyani Coronation park, played the game of their lives as they matched Goldfields boot for boot. The Sunyani boys, who were cheered on by a handful supporters, never proved inferior to the league leaders, as they piled pressure on Goldfields. But they had to succumb in the 12th minute when speedster right winger Kwabena Boateng raced along the right flank and placed the ball in the path of inside left Ebenezer Dadzie to score. Unperturbed Bofoakwa struck with lightening speed and redeemed the goal a minute later (13th minute), from a corner-kick taken by outside left Passo Amponsah and headed home by inside left Papa Yaw Jr. Centre forward Kofi Deblah restored Goldfields lead in the 44th minute when he raced through the defence and put the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Alhaji Issahaku. The Miners dictated the pace of the game and raised the score to 3-1 in the 51st minute through Deblah from over-lapping full back Sammy Adjei's pass. Bofoakwa pulled a goal back in the 70th minute when centre forward Kwami Kyere connectd home a freekick taken outside the "18" by full back Nana Eshun. After the goal Goldfields replaced wing half Kone Ibrahim with Isaac Quainoo while Bofoakwa pulled out Billa Moabe for Charles Owusu, both in the 71st minute. The changes benefited the Minners as inside left Kossi Noutsoudji scored their fourth goal in the 78th minute.