Oly thrash Kotoko to win Independence Cup
Wonder Club Accra Great Olympics thrashed Kumasi Asante Kotoko 3-0 at the Accra Stadium yesterday to lift the Independence Cup in a thrilling encounter between two clubs struggling in the First Capital Plus Premier League.
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Attacking midfielder Francis Okai struck twice, one in either half, while attacker Agbashie Doertse added his name to the score sheets in between, in a match which Kotoko enjoyed a lion’s share of the exchanges but did not make their superior possession count.
All three goals by Olympics were scored from counter-attacks, after the visitors left their back vulnerable and prone to the marauding attacks from veteran Godwin Attram and two-goal hero Okai.
In a fairly packed stadium, Kototo took the game to the homesters with early onslaughts in search for the opening goal, but the attack was repelled by a strong Olympics defence marshalled by veteran national stars Dan Quaye and Richard ‘Olele’ Kingson, who stood in post for the ‘Dade’ boys for the first time since he left the club in search of greener pastures 19 years ago.
Kotoko nearly got the opener in the 17th minute when Latif Amadu had only goalkeeper Kingson to beat but lacked the killer instincts to punish Olympics and wasted the scoring opportunity.
Two minutes later, the Wonder Club stunned the league champions after a deflected effort in Kotoko’s goal area fell on Okai’s right foot and the striker struck a low drive past goalkeeper Joseph Addo for the opening goal much to the delight of the Olympics supporters.
Kotoko responded with more sustained pressure on their opponents, but in their search for the equalising goal, they left the back unprotected and got punished again.
In the 26th minute, winger Kwame Boateng led a counter-attack after a failed attempt at goal by the Porcupine Warriors. He sent a long, low drive across the face of the Kotoko goal area which met the legs of Doertse who connected the ball home to give his side a comfortable 2-0 lead which they maintained till half time.
Back from recess, Kotoko appeared frustrated by their poor attempts at finding the back of the net, with strikers Amadu, Stephen Oduro and midfielder Prince Baffoe squandering chances in front of their opponents’ goal area, unable to beat Kingson.
Olympics, however, stayed back, soaked the pressure and hit their opponents on the counter which worked to perfection. In the 62nd minute, midfielder Okai drilled the nail into Kotoko’s coffin when he scored his brace. After a two-man move with Boateng at the edge of the penalty box, the striker placed the ball at the far right side of goalkeeper Addo to complete a famous victory for the Wonder Club which was greeted with a resounding roar by the home crowd.
Ghana Football Association president, Kwesi Nyantakyi and Osu Mantse, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, jointly presented the trophy to Olympics captain Attram and sparked off spontaneous jubilation by the players, officials and supporters.
