Dida now out of coma

Eben Amarh Dida, goalkeeper of Accra Hearts of Oaks who went into coma following a melee during which he was apparently kicked on the head and rushed to the 37 Military Hospital has now regained consciousness, according a hospital spokesman. This was during the titanic clash between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko at the stadium on Sunday.

Dida who was taken to the Hospital after first aid treatment by the medical team at the stadium failed to revive him from unconsciousness is now recovering.

The GNA Sports was told at the Hospital that it took the player almost four hours after he had been admitted to gain his consciousness and said to be now out of danger.

However, the hospital authorities declined allowing the GNA Sports to speak with the player but Stephen Akwetey, Team Manager of Hearts who was at the hospital earlier expressed joy that the keeper has been revived.

Meanwhile, the team's top striker, Ablade Morgan who was admitted earlier at the same hospital following a clash with Kotok's Joe Hendricks is expected to be discharged Monday morning, the hospital spokesman assured.

A third player, Nasiru Garni, who had a clash with security men after the game, was treated and discharged on Sunday evening at the same hospital.

It will be recalled that Yusif Chibsah shot the ball into the net from Stephen Odoru's free kick after goalkeeper Eben Dida was brought down by striker Shilla Alhassan for him to spill the ball in the six-yard box.

Cape Coast-based referee Essel-Walker hesitated and raised his head to seek confirmation from his assistant number two, Nicholas Dwomoh, who held his flag down and ran towards the centre.

Hearts met the "bad goal" with a spontaneous protestation and play was held up for 10-minutes during which vexed fans of the defending champions threw missiles and ripped off a number of plastic chairs while the police stood helpless.