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| Encountering Soccer In The Eastern Region |
12/31/2005 |
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Encountering Soccer In The Eastern Region
It would take one a whole year in talking about football in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The capital , Koforidua which has table tennis as its top sport continues to develope talents after bringing the likes of Ibrahm Sunday, Esumang Dadzie, Agyemang Duah, Ahmed Mamoud and goalkeeper Saani Muhamed into limelight. Many are those who would agree to the idea of voting C.K Gyamfi the all-time best of the region.
On the juvineille level, New Dwaben Commercial College has really made a mark in the Milo Soccer Competition organised for secondary schools and colleges. But for this competition, I would not have heard about the exploits of Esumang Dadzie ( National Juvineille player, 1992) in the early 90s.
One man who needs commendation for making the region a home of soccer is Seth Yeboah, the founder and owner of Dawu Youngsters club.This man has single-handedly carried Dawu over the years and succeeded in building a stadium for the club. Dawu was in the premiership between 1990 and 2002.
Remarkably, Dawu`s Abdul Mumuni and Laud Oscar emerged the leading scorers in the 1992 and 1994 seasons respectively. Other clubs used to chase the signitories of the players. Interestingly, apart from Abdul Mumuni, Eugene Addo and Adjah Tetteh, no player has ever joined Hearts of Oak right from Dawu. Asante Kotoko were lucky to get the services of Prince Amoako, Yaw Sekyi, Ahmed Mamoud, Siba Mumuni, Alex Nyarko, Joe Agyemang Snr and Ahmed Sayeed.
One name that tops all names as far as Eastern Regional soccer is concerned is Okwahu United FC. In the mid 80s, Ibrahim Merigah, Alhaji Bello, Nana Yaw Amaning, Edward Aboagye gave another dimension to Ghana soccer. Okwahu really gave Asante Kotoko a solid opposition until 1986 when Opoku Nti -led onslought unsured Kotoko`s unconvincing 4:1 victory in an FA Cup final in Accra to comfirm Kotoko`s dominance.
With the later siginings of Sam and Tony Yeboah and the aftermath inclusion of CK Akonnor, Odame Ampomah, Adolph MacCarthy (who led the club to an FA Cup semi-final in 1990) etc, Okwahu was still a force in Ghana soccer. It is so unfortunate that the club is now struggling to gain grounds ! in the premiership. AKOTEX, Maxbees, Kade Hotspurs, Kwaebibirem, Power FC ( play-off specialist) have also paid their dues to Ghana soccer. I understand Power have now shifted home from Koforidua. I believe there is more about soccer in the Eastern Region which I do not know about. Long Live Ghana soccer
Source:
Kwasi Amo-Mensah
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