Onetouch to spice independence celebration with special matches

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Onetouch in a bid to add more spice to Ghana's 50th anniversary celebration is pumping 500 million cedis to organise special anniversary matches all over the country. Unveiling the 14-match event dubbed: "6th March Anniversary matches", Mr Philip Sowah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Onetouch, said the idea behind the event is to offer soccer fans an opportunity to watch their favourite clubs on such a special day. He said the matches have been planned in a way to rekindle some long-standing rivalries that soccer fans in some regions have been yearning to see for some time now.

Mr Sowah said football in recent times has become one of the leading unifying forces in the country.

"In fact, after the World Cup, Ghanaians for the first time probably since independence, felt proud to wear their national colours and this is the same passion that Onetouch (brings) to the stadiums" He said to bring about the spirit of fair play, rules in the Premiership will be enforced.

Mr. Welberk Abrah-Appiah, Chairman of the Professional League Board (PLB), explaining the guidelines for the matches said the winner of each of the matches will take home in addition to a trophy, five million cedis.

He said all the 28 clubs participating in the event will take home appearance fee of 10 million cedis each whiles clubs who will have to travel from their base to play their respective matches will be given transport allowance of 2 million cedis each.

Mr Abrah-Appiah said to get winners for all the 14 matches, any of the matches that end in a draw will go straight into penalty shotout. He said the reason why Ashgold and Gomoa Feyenoord have been exempted is because of fixture congestion.

"Ashgold asked to be exempted because of their continental matches, whiles Fayenoord said their players will be tired since they have to honour an outstanding against Bofoakwa on March 4 in Sunyani." According to the fixtures, King Faisal will lock horns with their regional rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium and at the Dansoman Karl Reindorf Park, Liberty will take on Hearts whilst All Blacks square up with Olympics at Swedru.

At Tamale, Real Tamale United (RTU) will battle Division One side, Lepo Stars whilst Tano Boafoakwa and Brong Ahafo (B.A) United will rekindle their local rivalry at the Coronation Park in Sunyani with a similar battle at the Robert Mensah Stadium at Cape Coast between Ebusua Dwarfs and Venomous Vipers.

Sekondi Hasaacas and Eleven Wise will engage in a similar encounter at the Gyandu Park with Heart of Lions taking on Home Stars at Kpando. Catholic Stars will play Upper Stars at the Bolgatanga Stadium with Gold Stars taking on Mine Stars at Tarkwa.

At the Golden City Park in Berekum, Arsenals will play Chelsea whilst Okwawu United face Kessben at the Nkawkaw Brightons Park and to end the pack, Power FC take on Real Sportive at the Ho Stadium. 01 March 07