Top4: RTU register first victory

Kumasi, Feb 13, GNA - Real Tamale United (RTU) stunned Kumasi King Faisal when they inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the home team to register their first victory in the on-going Coca-Cola Top Four Tournament at the Kumasi Sports stadium on Sunday.

RTU who were beaten 3-0 by Faisal in the first round match and were regarded as the underdogs, went into the game with full determination to redeem their image.

It was therefore no wonder that they played it hard and marched Faisal boot for boot and this paid off fore them in the 35th minute when Torfik Alolo connected home a pass from a corner kick.

Faisal, who thus registered their first defeat in the competition, brought on Eric Gawu for Eric Ansah in the 50th minute to strengthen their attack and the substitute immediately announced his presence with a terrific shot, which was parried to corner by RTU's keeper, Michael Abu and the resultant kick was wasted.

Faisal from then on mounted series of attacks with Alhassan Sumaila's header missing the cross bar narrowly.

Faisal who were finding the match very tough, again substituted Baba Tanko for Michael Ofosu in the 61st minute but this could not change the game of play as the RTU defence warded off all the attempts by Faisal to find the equaliser.

RTU also sent in Peter Yakubu for Alhassan Weah in the 63rd minute but it was Faisal who seized the midfield and pinned RTU into their half forcing them to commit unpardonable mistakes but two quick free kicks in the 67th and 70th minutes respectively were wasted.

Faisal continued with their attempt to find the equaliser but the shots from their attackers either hit the cross bar or the posts to the amazement of the scanty supporters at the stadium.

Gafaru Abdulai of RTU was adjudged the best player of the match and received a ghetto blaster and products of Coca Cola.