By: Bernard Nyankomago Yeboah

Date: 15-05-11

This year’s May 9 ceremonial match between Kotoko and Hearts turned to be a drama at the Ohene Djan Sports last Saturday as the Phobian side, comprising mainly old stars and club officials boycotted the game at the time the Porcupine Warriors were battle ready on the field for action.

All effort by Reverend Emmanuel Adottey, Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) and other officials at the stadium to get Hearts to change their minds and honour the game hit a snag.

Having waited for over 15 minutes on the field without hearing any positive response from the opponent and organizers of the game, Coach Korak and his boys left the stadium and boarded their team bus back to Kumasi.

This was after both sides had come for their warm up exercises. Hearts were first to storm the pitch. But the inclusion of people like Abukari Damba, Eben Dida, Charles Allotey, Mohammed Polo and Memunatu Sulemana, Goalkeeper for the Black Queens in their squad created argument among supporters and the media who thronged the stadium to watch the game.

The impression was created initially that Hearts were just playing mind games but when the team sheet came and confirmed that the above mentioned players were part of the team, people kept asking what criteria the organizers used in selecting players for this year’s competition because Kotoko on the contrary came with their registered players though one may describe them as a second string side.

Kotoko appeared on the field at exactly 2:55pm with their notable away strip; white dominated jersey with red markings over white shorts and white hose.

To the dismay of many people Hearts never turned up claiming that Kotoko did not abide by the rules or procedure given by the organizers, National Sports Authority prior to the game and that they won’t play the game.

So in the end Referee Mercy Tagoe and her assistants likewise Kotoko also left the field.

This attitude by Hearts which many people at the stadium described as “unprofessional” brought tension among supporters who spent their precious time, money and resources to witness the game.

But for the intervention of the Police and other security personnel at the stadium, probably the nation would have witnessed another bad incident on the day going by how tempers raised high among supporters at the stadium.

While some of the irate fans moved from one end of the stadium to another in search for the organizers to get back their gate fees, others also charged on officials at various entrances who sold the match tickets on the day.

“I swear to God I will collect my money back from the organizers of this competition. I paid GHC 5 for the ticket and I cannot allow somebody to take if for free” a fan who gave his name as Andy Cole said.

After singing and chanting for almost 20 minutes all to register their displeasure about the abrupt end of the game, the Police managed to cool tempers and convinced most of the furious fans to leave the stadium.

Briefing a couple of the media why they boycotted the game, Albert Commey, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) for Hearts who interestingly was part of the Hearts team said they did nothing wrong by fusing their team with old, current and guest players.

He explained further that they got a letter from the National Sports Authority before the game indicating that both sides could use old, current and guest players.

“Before the game we received a letter from the organizers that we can use old, current and guest players for the game so I don’t see why somebody should accuse us wrongly”

“As far as I’m concern we did the right as required by the organizers” he noted.

However, Opoku Nti, the special Assistant to Dr. K.K Sarpong noted that they made it clear during the pre-match technical meetings that Kotoko would use reserves side which was agreed to by both parties.

Earlier on in the day, the National Circles Council (NCC) of Kumasi Asante Kotoko defeated the National Chapters Committee (NCC) of Heart of Oak 2-1 in a curtain raiser. Kwadwo Sarfo and Ibrahim Yakubu put the NCC of Kotoko into the lead after recess before Nii Armah get the consolation goal for the Hearts NCC.

These are the players both Kotoko and Hearts brought into the game;

Kotoko starting line: Soulama Abdoulaye, Louis Quainoo, Gershon Akuffu, Ohene Brenya, Ofosu Appiah, Afranie Yeboah, Albert Bruce, Samed Oppong, Obeng Reagan, Stephen Oduro and Edward Affum.

Those on the bench were: Umar Gariba, Paul Asare, Haruna Ganiyu, David Offei, Alhassan Bukari, Kwame Boateng and Rashid Seidu.

Heart starting line up: Abukari Damba, Eben Dida, Paul Addo, Patrick Madjitey, Daniel Avittey, Charles Allotey, Ebenezer Quarshie, Mohammed Polo and Thomas Quarshie.

Only two players were on the Hearts bench; Rahman Alhassan and Memunatu Sulemana.