By Ken Bediako
The current exploits of Samartex 1996 FC and Medeam FC both from the Western Region, reminds old folks like me the past exploits of Sekondi Eleven Wise affectionately called “Western Show Boys”.
Sadly, the Show Boys are now wallowing in the quagmire of Lower division football and not much is heard of their brand of football wizardry. Going through my archives I recall my piece on the Show Boys compiled in 1985 when they had qualified to represent Ghana in the WAFU competition. I am also providing old pen pictures of some of the star players that made the club tick.
Everybody calls them the Show Boys of Ghana football. Yes, that is because that type of fascinating and entertaining game punctuated with eye pleasing dribbling is their stock in trade. The exciting thing about Eleven Wise is they may lose a match but at the end of the game you have had plenty to cheer about.
Formed in 1919 Eleven Wise was the first non-departmental football club in the Western Region and also one of the eight pioneer clubs for the national league which took off in 1958. The others were Sekondi Hasaacas, Asante Kotoko. Kumasi Cornerstone, Cape Coast Dwarfs, Venomous Vipers, Accra Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics. The Show Boys placed fifth in this maiden contest but flopped miserably the following year perched at the bottom of the table with six points.
This humiliation was too much for the “pride of the West” and in an interesting transformation. Eleven Wise swept all opposition the next time round to become league champions for 1960. The inspirer of this feat was burly forward player Edward Acquah, the footballer universally accepted as “the man with the sputnik shot”.
The formation of model club Real Republikans in 1961 robbed Eleven Wise of their live wire Edward Acquah and the Show Boys made a poor show in the defence of the league title.
The club continued to draw the crowds over the years but to no avail till 1967 when they came near national honours once more. Eleven Wise met Cape Coast Dwarfs in the final of the special knockout competition to determine the champion club for the season.
The pulsating Cup Final and the hectic replay both ended 1-1 and Dwarfs won by the toss of a coin. That was the system those days. It was not until 1975 that Eleven Wise really came into the limelight again by placing a close second to Asante Kotoko.
The following year Wise the club known for producing many leading national ball artistes reached the FA Cup final for the first time and were beaten by Asante Kotoko.
Wise were in the Cup final again in 1979 and even though they lost to Hearts of Oak they earned the right to represent Ghana in the 1980 Africa Cup Winners Cup competition. The fact is Hearts had already won the league to qualify for Africa.
Wise crashed out at the quarter final stage to MAHD Club of Algeria in the continental series.
The year 1982 saw the Show Boys in the Cup final once more this time against local rivals. Sekondi Hasaacas and they triumphed thus entering Africa in 1983.
Inspired by flamboyant chairman Dr Ackah Blay Miezah with his catchy “Akaraka Chii,” slogan Eleven Wise strengthened their side with a number of talented players including almost all who had deserted them but they bowed out quite early in the continental series via Agaza of Togo.
Still undaunted Blay Miezah pumped in more money to rejuvenate the club. He took the entire 35 registered players and their technicians on an three week expensive tour of Brazil to tune them up for the 1984 League No wonder they put up a spirited performance to earn the second spot behind Accra Hearts of Oak.
The next focus will be on Accra Hearts of Oak 1984 squad.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
The players who made Eleven Wise tick in the 80s are given below:
