Hockey News of Thursday, 15 January 2004

Source: Greater Accra Hockey Association

Preview of Mobitel Knockout Finals:

Exchequers go for a Clean Sweep of Trophies:

Four times on the trot League Champions Exchequers of Bank of Ghana, take the field against CEPS in the Mobitel Hockey Knockout finals with one thing on their mind – to complete the clean sweep of trophies for the 2003 season.

Having won the Greater Accra Hockey Gala and recently, the league championship, Exchequers aim to win the knockout competition to confirm their superiority on the domestic scene. With the league trophy in the bag and therefore the opportunity to represent the country in the 2004 Africa Cup for Club Champions Competition scheduled for April in either Uganda or Abuja, a win for Exchequers would only buttress their claim as the best club in the country.

Their task would however be a difficult one as they come face to face with a determined CEPS side that have not won any laurels though they have played quite well during the season, winning silver in the SESSA Games and placing 3rd in the league competition.

Matches between the two sides have always been exciting and the 2003 hockey season has not been devoid of that. In the Gala competition, the first event of the season, CEPS battled Exchequers to scoreless draw only to lose 3-4 to miss out on the glory in the finals. In the first round of the league, Exchequers run away with a narrow 3-2 win after a pulsating 70 minutes. CEPS did not show up for the second round claiming that that they were then preparing for the SESSA Games. Could it be that CEPS could be 3rd time lucky on the turf or would Exchequers exert their total dominance on the domestic hockey scene as they plan for African glory? The stage has been set for a thrilling finale, and possibly a fitting end to the Greater Accra Hockey season. If CEPS win, which they are confident of doing, then the 2 teams wrap-up the season with a Super Champs match the following week.

Extinguishers Confident of A Revenge in the Women’s Game:

Uncrowned Greater Accra Hockey Women’s League champions Extinguishers of Fire Service square up with bitterest rivals Reformers of Ghana Prisons to determine who holds the bragging rights in the women’s game.

Undoubtedly, Extinguishers appear the better side, having dominated the domestic scene, beating all opposition in the league competition without conceding a single goal. Reformers however have a secret combination that they used to lock away the Extinguishers, shutting them out 2-0 during the SESSA Games to clinch Gold. The loss is the main taint in the record of the Fire Ladies who enter the pitch with a simple mission, to exact revenge and restore total team confidence. If Reformers win, then the 2 teams go head to head the following week to determine who brandishes the title of Super Champs.