Oly Sweat For Points

A shudder of excitement breezed into the camp of Accra Great Olympics when the low-flying club managed a hard-fought 2-1 win over Kessben FC at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium.

Yesterday’s high-on-energy 17th week outstanding Onetouch Premiership tie, was Oly’s only third win in 17 games – but the result still left the Blues firmly rooted at the bottom.

All the same, the Oly contingent showed glistened faces, a refreshing reverse of their previous clash which the doughty-charactered and tactically superior Kessben lads won 3-0.

Buoyed by the stunning Abrankese victory, Kessben, who played 74 minutes of the game with 10 men, following the expulsion of full-house defender, Moro Ibrahim, struck the initiative as early as the 6th minute through Edmund Owusu Peprah.

A magnificent pull-out from the right was calmly whistled down for the lurking Peprah to poke past a misinclined Salifu Ibrahim in post for Olympics.

The vociferous noise from the small band of Oly supporters, huddled up in a virtual empty stadium, went dead. But the Kessben joy was short-lived as tormentor-in-chief Mohammed Tanko, levelled up for the long-suffering home club, a minute later.

Tanko, gruadually establishing himself as a first class finisher, soared above the Kessben rearguard to nod home into the far right corner, leaving inspiring goalkeeper Frank Andoh in a fuddle. It was a great goal by all standards.

Perhaps, that was the tonic the Blues needed to pour forward, grabbing what turned out to be the match winner in the 22nd minute after Abdul Basit clutched onto a through pass, outpaced his markers before slotting past goalkeeper Andoh.

Kessben at this stage lost their composure and adopted some rough-house tactics in bid to halt the Oly onslaught. That style infuriated Tema-based Referee Emmanuel Modey who showed Moro the marching off orders just before the half-hour mark.

But in spite of their numerical disadvantage, the visitors continued to look dangerous on the break, squandering some decent chances to the relief of the Oly team who appeared worn to a frazzle.

¨ At the El Wak Sports Stadium, Zaytuna showed great fighting spirit to pip Heart of Lions 1-0 in a tempestuous afternoon.

¨ Premiership leaders Kumasi Asante Kotoko also drubbed Berekum Arsenal 2-0 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium yesterday to maintain their unbeaten home record.