On this day 2 January 2005 (Exactly 14 years ago)
An added time equaliser from Louis Agyemang, saved Hearts from a home defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals Asante Kotoko in the first-leg final of the 2004 CAF Confederation Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Louis Agyeman rescued Hearts with the late equalise which was virtually the last kick of the match to force a 1-1 draw.
Michael Osei had given Kotoko the lead in the 61st minute from a rebound after Charles Taylor’s freekick was poorly collected by Hearts keeper Sani Mohammed. The goal came shortly after Mohammed had made two brilliant saves.
In the 50th minute, he had denied Kotoko the lead, saving a shot from unmarked Taylor. Taylor’s opportunity was the first clear chance of the match.
Mohammed also stopped a hard shot inside the box from Osei moments later. Hearts responded fiercely after conceding with Prince Tagoe going close but Kotoko also pushed forward.
Kotoko had dominated the early 15 minutes, creating scoring chances but it was Hearts who finished the first-half strongly.
Hearts Line Up: Sannie Mohammed, Amankwah Mireku, Acquah Harrison, Dan Quaye, Daniel Coleman, Adjah Tetteh, Lawrence Adjei, Francis Bossman, Prince Tagoe, Louis Agyemang, Dong Bortey
Coach Cecil Jones Attuquayefio
Kotoko Line Up: George Owu, Michael Ofosu Appiah, Godfred Yeboah, Issa Ahmed, Joe Hendricks, Michael Asante, Stephen Oduro, Yusif Chibsah, Michael Osei, Charles Taylor, Nana Arhin Duah
Coach: Hans Dieter Schmidt
Referee : Guezzaz Mohamed (Morocco)
On this day 2 January 2008 (Exactly 11 years ago)
Liberty Professionals handed Real Tamale United their heaviest defeat of the season by thrashing them 6-2 in their eighth week clash of Ghana Premier League at the Carl Rendorf Park, Dansoman, Accra.
As early as the half hour mark, Liberty was up by four goals, making the best out of the lack of co-operation exhibited by the visitors defence.
Striker Sam Ayew Yeboah began the goal
harvest as early as the second minute, connecting home a through pass from Kofi Nti Boakye’s run from midfield.
The early goal unsettled the Tamale lads whose case was compounded by lack of coordination exhibited by the backline of Baba Hassan Kullog, Mohammed Baker, Alhassan Hamdu and Kwame Adjagba.
Ten minutes later, Mustapha Essuman made it two by tapping in Richard Kissi’s cross, which was deflected onto his path by Hamdu. As RTU lingered to settle, Liberty bombarded their goal area with several raids led by Yeboah and Nti Boakye.
In the 19th minute, Essuman nearly grabbed a brace and the third for his side but his thunderbolt ricocheted off the cross bar to the relief of the visitors.
Two minutes later, Kwame Antwi scored the third goal for Liberty by connecting a rebound after RTU goalie, Issah Najawu parried Essuman’s drive into play before Ayew made it four with low shot from Antwi’s lob. RTU coach Abdul Razak was forced to make two changes, bringing out Hanan Giwah and Najawu for Faisal Sulemana and Mohammed Opash respectively, which paid off.
In the 41st minute, Mohammed Fatau pulled one back with a beautiful header from Kullog’s free-kick.
However their dreams of further reducing the margin went dead after strikes from Nti Boakye and Emmanuel Allan in the 69th and 72nd minutes respectively.
On this day 2 January 1957 (Exactly 62 years ago)
In the first of 4 meetings between the fighters, Gene Fullmer won the world middleweight boxing title with a 15-round unanimous decision over Sugar Ray Robinson at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
On this day 2 January 1972 (Exactly 47 years ago)
Virginia Wade of England won her first Grand Slam title; beats home favourite Evonne Goolagong 6-4, 6-4 to win the Australian Open Women’s Tennis Singles title.
On this day 2 January 1981 (Exactly 38 years ago)
18-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova won her 1st of 3 Australian singles crowns; beats fellow 18-time major winner, Chris Evert-Lloyd 6-7, 6-4, 7-5.
By: George ‘Alan Green’ Mahamah