Olympics win LG Homowo Cup

Accra, Aug 29, GNA - Long suffering supporters of Accra Great Olympics, who have looked on in anguish as the fortunes of their team dwindled due to a never ending crisis in leadership, finally had something to cheer about after their team beat Tema based Real Sportive 1-0 to lift the LG Homowo Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday. The only goal of the match came via the penalty spot in the 58th minute after Olympics Kwaku Bonsu was brought down unfairly in the box for Amui Quaye who had just been introduced into the game a minute earlier to score.

Before the goal, it was Olympics who opened up right from the start in a bid to unsettle the league debutants.

Sportive, gradually acquiring the reputation of playing well when the odds are stacked against them quickly foiled the Olympics plot and took control of the midfield and came close to scoring in the 21st minute but for timely tackle on Kamil Yusif who was in a good position. Olympics in the 22nd minute had the best chance of the half when a loose ball broke to unmarked Bonsu in the Sportive box after a blunder by Sportive defender, Issac Boakye but the striker with only Sportive Laud Quartey in goal to beat volleyed his effort over the bar.

Olympics Bonsu who had a nightmarish first half was again put through by hard working Joe Tagoe, who crowned the event to emerge the best player of the tournament but again with only Laud Quartey to beat fired blank in the 44th minute.

The second half saw Olympics playing a much more purposeful game especially from the midfield but were found wanting in the final touch where their strikers had a torrid time dealing with the resolute defence of Sportive.

Their only break came in the 58th minute when FIFA Referee Alex Quartey awarded them a spot kick after Bonsu was impeded in the box for Amui Quaye to fire in an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net for the match winner.

Sportive who pushed forward in a bid to draw level forced their opponents to play on the break which Olympics nearly capitalised on to punish them in the 84th minute but for the over elaboration of Tagoe who was later crowded out in the penalty box.

At the end of proceedings, Olympics Umar Gariba was adjudged the best player of the match whilst Joe Tagoe won the best player award for the four-club tournament.

After the match there was uncontrolled joy in the Olympics camp when the Sempe Mantse, Nii Adotey Obuo presented the trophy to the victorious Olympics skipper, Francis Mantey.

On their way to the finals, Olympics beat Liberty Professionals by a lone goal whilst Sportive defeated the tournament's favourites, Accra Hearts of Oak through the penalty shoot out after a one-all drawn gam