Hockey Masters: Ghana trash Nigeria 4-1
Ghana stamped their authority over Nigeria in the Hockey Masters game by trashing them 4-1 in the second leg of their competition played at the Lagos national hockey pitch last Saturday.
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During the first leg played at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium in Accra early in September, Ghana recorded a 4-3 victory over Nigeria and set a date for the return encounter to determine which of the two teams reigned supreme.
The Ghana-Nigeria Masters Hockey competition, restricted to players above 50 years, has now become an annual affair.
It is not only meant to create sportsmanship between the two West African giants in Hockey competition, but also meant to induce the youth to generate keen interest in the game by nurturing and developing their potential to become star players in future.
Determined to avenge their first leg defeat, Nigeria took the game to Ghana moments after the game got underway, but the guest team fought gallantly to repulse the early onslaught.
Nigeria, however, pressed on and succeeded in snatching the lead in the 10th minute through Walter who outpaced his markers before slotting home for the opening goal.
Ghana accepted the challenged and fought back gallantly, creating holes in the Nigeria defence, but it was not until the 32nd minute that James Mason who played a purposeful game equalised for Ghana.
Ten minutes later, Ghana shot ahead through Ebo Arthur when he connected a pass and slammed in the ball beyond the reach of the Nigeria goalkeeper.
The two teams carried the game into each others’s territory and generated interest among the fans, but it was Ghana’s Stephen Tenkonag who stole the show with a beautiful goal in the 55th minute to increase the tally for Ghana , and in the 60th minute, James Mason put Nigeria beyond recovery with a beautiful goal.
In a brief address after the game, the President of the Nigeria Hockey Association, senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, expressed hope that the successes of the competition would not only foster strong unity between Ghana and Nigeria, but would also create good relationship among their youth.