Soccer News of Wednesday, 10 May 2006

Source: GNA

Special Knockout games resumes on Wednesday

Accra, May 10, GNA - The Professional League Board's (PLB) Special Knockout Competition, would resume at all four centres on Wednesday May 17. The competition, was put on hold after its fixtures clashed with the One Touch Top Four Competition.

With the Top Four Tourney scheduled to come to a close this weekend, Abra Appiah, Chairman of the PLB told the GNA Sports the competition currently at the quarter final stage would be honoured bearing any unforeseen hitch.

As the features stands, Accra Hearts of Oak treks Tema as guest of Real Sportive, whilst Kotoko would be away to Heart of Lions at Kpando. King Faisal locks horns with Ashantigold at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium with Berekum Arsenals visiting Sekondi Hasaacas at the Gyandu Park.

The PLB Chairman said the semi final matches would be honoured on Sunday May 21 at yet-to-be decided venues. He said Sunday May 28, has tentatively been fixed as date for the grand finale.

The date would clash with that of the Confederation of Africa Football's (CAF) who has also tied the resumption of the MTN Champions League to the same day.

Indications are that the PLB may be compelled to push the final a week further should CAF stick to their May 28 date for the competition which is currently at the group stages.

Abra Appiah told GNA Sports that, "ideally, we wanted to play on May 28, but since CAF is proposing a similar date, we will be compelled to change it for the sake of Hearts and Kotoko who will be participating in the Champions League".

He said the competition designed to keep the Premiership clubs in shape in the absence of the league had served its purpose. "Apart from Lions and Hasaacas, who have braved the storm and travel this far, the others have so far proven that their placement in the last Premiership was no fluke.

"It obviously has also assisted the teams in appraising their various recruits".

The competition has already span over a month and has witness various postponement due to the quartet - Hearts, Kotoko, Faisal and Arsenals participation at the continental stages as well as the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) Top Four tourney.