Okwawu begin another return journey today

Seven years ago, Okwawu United slumped into the so-called wilderness of Ghana football. A year later, they were found to be part of a gang that staged the unprecedented cricket scores in the scandal that rocked the 2007 Division One Middle League.
Today at Obuasi’s Len Clay Stadium, the Soccer Mountaineers begin a third attempt in the qualifying series, aiming to overcome the jinx and ignominy of nearly a decade of exclusion from the premiership.

Okwawu face Danbort FC in their opening Zone 3 Middle League game at Obuasi, while Abedi Pele’s Nania FC take on Inter Allies at the Baba Yara Stadium in the four-club competition.

With Zones 1 and 2 locked in disputes at the court of the Ghana Football Association’s Appeals Committee, Zone 3 will take the lead with the contest for one of the three slots available for promotion into the top flight.

Apart from Inter Allies, Okwawu have had very interesting links with the other two sides in Zone 3, although neither is mentioned for exactly the right reasons.

As direct opponents in Zone 3B during the zonal league, Okwawu and Danbort FC have turned football rivalry into a major cold war, and their clash in the opening game will give a clear indication of either side’s chances of progressing.

Nania FC, who scored over 20 goals against Okwawu in 17 minutes during their March 2007 Middle League match, renew hostilities with Zone 3A mates, Inter Allies, in the other game.

With uncertainty over when Zones 1 and 2 will turn attention from the boardroom onto the field, eyes will be on Zone 3’s four clubs between today and next week Saturday when the mini-league will end.


Preview: Michael Quaye