It was the legendary Radio presenter Mike Eghan of GBC fame who in the 70s coined the phrase “only the best comes from the West”.
Those were arguably lively days in the country when Highlife musician C.K. Mann and his Takoradi-based Carousel 7 Band were top of the pops with crowd pulling performances nationwide. And on the sporting front, Sekondi Hasaacas Football Club had been crowned undisputed champions in the maiden novelty one round only National Football League (now Premier League).
The authorities opted for this novelty League in March 1977 to give the national players enough time to prepare for the 1978 Afcon to be hosted by Ghana. Even though the novelty winners would
not enter Africa in 1978 the winners were officially recognised as League champions. So Hasaacas, formed in 1925, became the second club from the Western Region to win the league. The first was 1919 born Sekondi Eleven Wise who won in 1960.
All these encomiums are to celebrate Tarkwa based Medeama the just crowned league champions for 22-23 season the third club from the Western Region to be crowned champions in this Kotoko-Hearts dominated 65-year-old national competition.
What tickles me are some interesting similarities in the way Eleven Wise won the cup in 1960 and Medeama’s feat 63 years later. Both teams had to convincingly beat either of the dreaded twins of Ghana football Asante Kotoko or Hearts of Oak to win the ultimate.
In 1960 Eleven Wise beat Kotoko 3-0 in Sekondi and Medeama whipped Hearts 5-1 in Accra.
Perhaps the contrast in the 1960 and 2023 triumphs is that Medeama were in a more comfortable lead at the tail end than Eleven Wise who needed to win the last match to make assurance doubly sure to capture the cup The two points system for victory was in vogue at the time and Eleven Wise were only a point ahead of Kotoko who had 20 points.
Interestingly the final matches involving the two potential champs were local derbies.
Eleven Wise were to play Hasaacas at Gyandu Park and Kotoko matched against Cornerstone in Kumasi. Hasaacas affectionately called Giants of the West almost succeeded in dashing the championship hopes of Eleven Wise “the Western Show Boys”, by taking a confident lead for 54 minutes. It was an 85th minute equaliser by Edward Acquah that revived the spirit of Eleven Wise till the final whistle.
With fingers crossed supporters of, Eleven Wise waited impatiently for the outcome of the Kotoko-Corners encounter in Kumasi. Then news flashed, Kotoko had been beaten 2-0 by Cornerstone. It was a large carnival in Sekondi and the celebration went on throughout the night to mark the momentous occasion.
Kumasi Cornerstone by beating Kotoko had handed the cup to Eleven Wise. No wonder some obviously disappointed Kotoko fans labelled Cornerstone as “spoilers”, a nickname Cornerstone supporters didn’t cherish in the least.
Last Sunday there was a similar all night celebration in Tarkwa to mark Medeama’s big achievement.
Even though the just ended league cannot be comparatively said to be all that competitive, the handlers of Medeama must be proud of their achievement. On the whole standards appeared to be below expectation resulting in poor attendances. Accra Hearts of Oak for instance did not behave like once upon a time six time back to back champs. Throughout the competition you could count on your fingertips the most outstanding players.
It’s true TV coverage of exciting foreign leagues could be a distraction but in the not too distant past when the likes of Ishmael Addo, Laryea Kingston,
Stephen Oduro, Aziz Ansah and Co wore the jerseys of Hearts and Kotoko people went to the stadium in their numbers with radio sets listening to commentaries from abroad and watching their idols in action at the same time.
I think our coaches must be able to discover potential stars and mould them to play some attractive games like we saw the good coaching professor transform Asante Kotoko into a trenchant admirable force last season that deservingly won them the cup.
Honestly there is a lot to be done to bring back the love for the game. We need to cut down on the unproductive administrative niceties, and continue to modernise playing facilities. We see clearly
Interest in football is growing massively
around the globe and investors appear to be happy to throw in the money. It is hoped our administrators would not regard this as some booty and mess around. Let’s develop steadily and avoid such disturbing practice like a newly promoted premier club playing all their matches outside their home grounds because their home ground is not fit for purpose. This is discouraging, most unacceptable and should stop.
I would like to continue with the profiles of Asante Kotoko 1982 Africa Cup squad and Hearts of Oak 1985 Africa Cup Squad
Asante Kotoko SQUAD
Albert Asase
This left footed midfield star is noted for his long range shots – a speciality that has earned Ghana and Asante Kotoko several vital goals.
Quiet and unassuming Kotoko fans have nicknamed this Hodome born soccer maestro “Asase Jay” an appellation Asase himself is not in a position to explain.
Twenty-three-year-old Asase started big time soccer in 1978 with Juantex and joined Asante Kotoko in 1980.Music is his hobby and he is bent on playing football until he is 40 years old.
His parents are Victor. L Asase, marketing officer CDB and Florence Mensah hairdresser.
Asase is single and has one child Mizpah.
Mohammed Polo is Asase’s favourite player in Ghana and Argentinian super star Maradona is his idol abroad. Asase who is a member of the Black Stars is looking for the day when he will help Kotoko to win the Africa Cup again.
Opoku Nti
A good dribbler in his in right Opoku Nti hit the limelight in his maiden appearance for the Tarkwa Gold Stars in 1979.Then a student of Tarkwa Secondary School, Opoku Nti was affectionately called “Tarkwa Polo” apparently because he dribbled like Hearts former super star Mohammed Polo.
The young student’s name soon became a hit and the Kotoko scouts pounced on him and had him transferred to Ahmadiyya Secondary school in Kumasi in1980. He was called to the Black Stars Group the following year and was a useful member of the Black Stars team that won the Africa Cup in Libya early this year.
Born at Kintampo on 24th January 1961 to Kofi Nti a farmer and Mrs Elizabeth Opoku Nti the young dribbler recently married Eva Kankam an attractive hairdresser.
Music is his hobby and his ambition is to play professional football. Tamale Real United’s Abedi Pele is his favourite player and Brazilian soccer star Zico is his idol abroad.
His happiest moment was when the Black Stars won the Africa Cup. In fact, Opoku Nti’s last minute equaliser in the opening match against Libya gave Ghana a valuable point which eventually landed her in the final. The day Olympics beat Kotoko 2-0 in the first round of the 1982 league is an event Opoku Nti would quickly like to forget.
HEARTS 1985 SQUAD
Emanuel Ayitey Crankson
Crankson is a young forceful player who can be great if he cuts down a bit on his dribbling in the box.
He has excellent ball control and can score with either foot but he needs a little more experience to fit into the rather overstaffed Hearts attacking line up.
Born in Accra on 24th Feb 1962 to Emmanuel Crankson Snr an Agriculturist and Comfort Pappoe a petty trader Crankson is a student at Christian Methodist Secondary school in Accra.
He was a good colts’ player in his teens and when he started big time soccer with Sekondi Hasaacas he was one of their leading goal scorers till he joined Hearts this season.
Crankson took inspiration from Robert Folley to become a footballer. His favourite player at the moment is Emmanuel Quarshie. Brazilian star Zico is his idol abroad. Flamingo of Brazil is his dream club and Hasaacas his favourite team in Ghana.
Rice is what Crankson eats often. He is a fan of music and the other sportsman he most admires is Muhammad Ali.
American Andrew Young is one person in the world Crankson would like to meet.
Albert Ansuade
Ansuade is a business-like defender who does not take chances. He may be a bit short for the role he plays but he compensates for this with his trade mark close marking.
A father of one, Ansuade joined Hearts in 1982 from Great Olympics and he has performed creditably in all the matches he has played for his new club.
Ansuade was born in Accra on 21st February 1960 to Daniel Boyefio a businessman and Janet Borley a petty trader. He is a technician by profession Wizard dribbler John Bannerman is his favourite local player and Malian born Tigana of France his idol abroad. Real Madrid is the team he adores so also is Sekondi Eleven Wise.
The best stadium Ansuade has played on is in Lagos.
His favourite food is rice and the person in the world he would like to meet is Carlos Santana.
It was Rubberman John Naawu of Olympics fame who whipped up Ansuade’s interest in football.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
