Soccer News of Monday, 11 October 2004

Source: GNA

Ghatel Accra emerge Gala champions

Accra, Oct 11, GNA - A late classic strike from Gloria Oforiwaa on Saturday gave Ghatel Ladies of Accra an edge of displacing their counterparts from Sunyani to lift the maiden trophy of the Bonwire Kente Festival's 3rd anniversary women's gala.

The gala that brought together eight of the ten teams of the Ghana Telecom Ladies football teams across the country was also to honour their patron, Mr Kofi Dua-Adonteng, who has been appointed the Managing Director of Ghana Post Company.

Oforiwaa of the Black Queens, exhibited loads of composure upfront to slot in her side's seemingly clearest chance of the day when she sent a long non-drop lob over advancing goalkeeper Naomi Asante who had experienced a quite day.

The Accra team who lived dangerously in the first half against their resilient and less experienced Sunyani ladies must be thankful to their Queens striker who brought her skill and exposure to bear, turning that half chance into a world class goal.

The Sunyani team however must have themselves to blame for failing to utilize all the numerous chances they created.

The Doreen Awuah-led attack of the Sunyani team however enjoyed better action upfront, a situation that brought the best in Aminatu Ibrahim of Queens fame at the rear as they combined effectively to give cover to their bulky but amazingly smart, Federica Mogagyei in the posts.

Ghatel Accra who dismissed the bluff of their opponents from Cape Coast and Tamale vie the lottery of penalties and 1-0 wins respectively to reach the finals, however, dominated the midfield action where back to batan Sheila Okine combined effectively with Patience Nelson to give the impressive and enthusiastic crowd a real treat from the recess.

Whilst both teams significantly won their respective first games through penalty kicks, Sunyani Ghatel defied the odds and shocked the book makers when they made mince meat of a highly tipped and tough Kumasi team with a goal in each half to book a place at the finals.