2002 Mobitel Knockout Championship - Preview

Trustees Determined to Halt an Exchequers Double Sleeping giants, Trustees of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) have made it clear that they are in no mood to hand over their Mobitel Knockout championship trophy to 2002 Pepsi hockey league champions Exchequers of Bank of Ghana. The grand finale of the fiercely contested knockout competition which will climax the activities of the Greater Accra Hockey Association for the 2002 hockey year comes off on Saturday January 11, 2003, at 4:00pm at the National Hockey Pitch.

Trustees, who started the year on a slow pace as was evident in their not too impressive showing during the 15th Africa Cup for Club Championship Competition hosted in Accra, did remarkably well by picking themselves up from mid-table to clinch the runners-up spot in the competitive Pepsi Hockey League.

The men from the Trust have intimated that the cracking pace they set and the slacking form of Exchequers toward the end of the league season will be the determining factors in who annexes the knockout trophy come Saturday. Both teams have devoted a lot of time all week to perfect set-pieces and fine-tune their game plans for the big showdown. The coaching staffs of both teams are upbeat about the chances and have exuded confidence of picking the ultimate prize.

On paper however, the odds favour the Central Bankers who have virtually dominated their counterparts this. Exchequers demolished Trustees 4-0 during the Africa Cup for Club Champions Competition held in Accra in April. During the first round of the Pepsi hockey league however, Trustees came from 2 goals down to beat Exchequers 3-2 in one of the fiercest games ever played between the two rivals in hockey history. The second round of the Pepsi league was a different story as Exchequers again went on a rampage and thrashed their rivals 3-0 against all predictions. Exchequers hold one championship in hand and are tuning themselves for a representation of the country at the 16th Africa Club championship in Pretoria, South Africa in March this year. Trustees, who are also eyeing the prospects of representing the country in the Pretoria competition, are determined to annex the knockout competition to buttress their claim and assure management that they ! Trust's hockey club is still a force in Ghana Hockey.

This final match therefore sets the stage for yet another moment of truth for the two giants to prove to their management and hockey fans as to who rules in Ghana Hockey, at least for now.

Reformers Set for Another Double as they take on Comets in Ladies Competition: Reformers of Prison Service look set to clinch another double when they take on whipping-girls of hockey, Comets in the final match of the Mobitel hockey knockout competition at 12:30pm on Saturday.

Comets managed a final berth when Extinguishers of Ghana Fire Service faltered technically to hand over victory to them. The dream to play on a grand stage like this was quite remote for the young ladies until an error in judgement of the coaches in fielding an unqualified player in their semi-finals match was detected. Extinguishers were accordingly stripped-off the win according to the Bye-laws of the Greater Accra Hockey Association to pave the passage for Comets to play in the finals.

The young ladies will not however be mincemeat for the Reformers who though have beaten Comets 4 times this year, have not had those wins on a silver platter on all occasion.

Reformers will be led on the field of play by their inspirational fullback and Ghana Hockey female player of the year Abena Amponsaa Asumeng-Addo with hardworking Hagar Laryea controlling affairs in midfield.

In the Juvenile encounter scheduled for 2:30pm, sensational Tema Stars take on Pepsi Babies in what is anticipated will be a showcase of the emerging youth talents in Ghana hockey. Juvenile goalking Yoofi Arthur, son of Trustees' prolific goal scorer, Ebo Arthur will seek to complete a father and son win on the day. Fans are assured of a great afternoon of hockey.

In the morning, Multistix will welcome the Kumasi Stadium club in a friendly match while Veterans look set to add to the woes of Citizens in their bottom of the table outstanding league clash.