By Ken Bediako
My campaign to restore national recognition for Ohene Djan the legendary sports administrator of blessed memory,
continues unabated. Over the past few weeks I have tried to provide enough evidence to show that Ohene Djan deserves the honour done him in 2004 by the J. A. Kufuor administration by naming Accra Stadium after him, which has been defaced by certain suspected hired hooligans.
I have cited the famous national football league as one of Ohene Djan’s legacies for the national sporting calendar which has withstood the test of time.
This week I recall the story of the 1964-65 national football league under the aupicies of the indefatigable sports administrator whose enviable reputation the current generation is gradually and unnoticeably trying to destroy.
Here we go with Ohene Djan’s 7th successive league programme.
The 1964-65 Season:
ASANTE KOTOKO CONTINUE IN CHAMPIONSHIP FORM
Nov 29, 1964 — Oct 3,1965
Sekondi Hasaacas, after two seasons in the wilderness over the ‘Modibo Toe affair’, were invited back into the first division. Along with Wassaman, they increased the number of participants to a record 20.
The league started on November 29, 1964 but was suspended in mid-January 1965 to make way for the hosting of the maiden African Cup of Champion Clubs, won by Oryx Club of Cameroun, with 2-0 win over Stade of Mali.
Model Club Real Republikans, representing Ghana, placed third in the four-club competition. Republikans lost their opening match 2-1 to Oryx while Stade beat Cotton Club 2-1 in the
other first round match. The two first round winners – Oryx and Stade -qualified for the final and the losers – Republikans and Cotton Club – played for the bronze medal. Republikans beat Cotton Club of Ethiopia 3-1.
As football fans criticised what was perceived to be a bad performance by Republikans, Sports Director Ohene Djan in his usual smart manner replied that, “In a competition of this nature no medal can be said to be inferior”.
This was the season that earned Accra Great Olympics the tag of “Wonder Club”. The formation of the Ghana Army team, Defence Stars, had robbed Olympics of several key players who were mainly from the Army. Trained by honorary coach Mr A. A. Ampofo (Kofi Charlie) a civil service administrator, Olympics recruited young students like Frank Odoi and Enoch Nsiah and did extremely well by placing third in the league with only one point behind second placed Hearts of Oak. Wonderful achievenent indeed by the then Tema based Accra Great Olympics. New entrants Wassaman became the undisputed whipping boys of the league and conceded a record 122 goals in 30 matches. They won only two and drew eight.
After a modest 2-2 draw with Hasaacas in the opening match at Tarkwa on November 29, Wassaman went on a heavy losing spree. Some of the heaviest defeats were 7-0 to Cornerstone in Kumasi January 17, 1965; 11-0 to Great Olympics at Tarkwa on Feb 21, 10-0 to Great Ashanti on February 28, 7-0 to Abuakwa Susu Biribi at Tafo on March 7; 10-0 to Asante Kotoko at Tarkwa on April 11.
Their two wins, both at home, were 3-0 over Tema Harbour City (formerly Tema Hurricanes) on April 25 and 1-0 over Sekondi Eleven Wise on May 30.
Due to numerous international assignments, the league was called off on October 3, 1965 after 30 matches.
Once again, Asante Kotoko, led by ‘bulldozer’ Kwadwo Mfum, had a clear lead and could not be denied the title they so richly deserved.
The fabulous club was leading with 50 points, followed by Hearts, with 45 points and Olympics 44.
The three bottom clubs, Agona Fankobaa, Harbour City and Wassaman, were relegated.
Midfielders Agyeman Gyau and Jones Attuquayefio both of Real Republikans were the most outstanding players of the season.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
