On this day 1 December 1963 (Exactly 58 years ago today) Ghana won its first Africa Cup of Nations trophy after beating Sudan 3-0 in the final of the 4th edition of the biannual tournament in Accra.
THE ROLE OF DR. KWAME NKRUMAH
Dr Kwame Nkrumah realised that there was the need to identify things that would unify the country and instil in the people a sense of pride in the country.
Mass participation in sports presented an arena where a sense of camaraderie could easily be developed.
Football was by far the most popular of the sports in Ghana and naturally presented a nationwide platform on which a sense of ‘oneness’ could be promoted.
Central Organisation of Sports
The Central Organisation of Sports (COS) was set up by Dr Kwame Nkrumah on July 1, 1960 with Mr Ohene Djan, who was at the time the Chairman of the Ghana Amateur Football Association (GAGA), as director of sports.
The main aim of setting up the Central Organisation of Sports was to promote, encourage, develop and control sports in the country, it was also to exercise final control over the external relations of all forms of Sports in Ghana, encourage and promote competitions between Ghana and international teams.
The Formation of the Ghana Republikan Club
One of the first acts of the Central Organisation of Sports was to set up the Republikan Sporting Club. This was announced by Ohene Djan on January 23, 1961 on behalf of the president.
The new club, according to the director, was to be at the forefront of reconstruction of Sports in the country, and was to be involved in all aspects of Sports in Ghana.
“The director explained that the club was formed on the instructions of Osagyefo President Kwame Nkrumah.”
Football occupied most of the attention of the Central Organisation of Sports. Due to its popularity, the first team to be developed after the formation of the Republikan Sporting Club was the football team, known as the Ghana Republikan Club.
On June 12, 1960, in a message to the Annual Conference of the Ghana Amateur Football Association at Ho in the Volta Region, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah hinted formation of model club. Among other things, Osagyefo said;
“My interest in soccer is so keen that I propose in the near future, to encourage the formation of a model club which will offer leadership and inspiration to football clubs in the country.
“This club shall be known a “Ghana Republikan s.” to commemorate the launching of your Three -Year – Development Plan in the year of our Republic.
‘I need not to remind you that football is now in the forefront of Ghana. It is in fact our national game.”
As a model club, two players were selected from each team forming a the base for an amalgamated Ghana team which won one league title and four 4 consecutive FA Cups.
This team formed a core of the Black Stars team that won the Nations Cup in 1963.
Road to the Final
The Black Stars made their Africa Cup of Nations debut with a 1- 1 draw against Tunisia in the opening match of the tournament on 24 November. Wilberforce Mfum scored Ghana’s first goal in the history of the Nations Cup in the 11th minute, while Mohamed Salah Jedidi equalised for the North Africans in the 36th minute; becoming the first player to score against Ghana in the competition.
Edward Acquah scored two goals as Ghana beat defending champions Ethiopia 2 – 0 in their next match to book their place in the final.
Sudan finished first in their group ahead of Egypt and Nigeria to book a final date with the Black Stars.
Final
Venue: The Accra Sports Stadium
Date: 1st December, 1963
Ghana 3-0 Sudan
Scorers: Aggrey-Finn (pen) 62, Edward Acquah 72, 82]
Three times champions of West Africa, Ghana ascended the continental throne, after beating Sudan 3-0 in the final of the African Cup of Nations.
After an eventful first half during which there was nothing to choose between the two finalists, Ghana asserted herself and played a more purposeful football in the second half.
And the man who brought life into the game was “little bird” Ofei Dodoo who played a brilliant game after he had taken over from Leonard Acquah in the second half.
The T. U. C. men – Mfum and Acquah pressed hard in the 62nd minute. The Sudanese panicked and in a desperate effort to ward off a typical Black Star attack, a defender of Sudan handled the ball in his own goal area.
Skipper Aggrey Fynn beat goalkeeper Sabit Dodoo with a carpet shot from the spot kick to put Ghana ahead.
Then Ofei Dodoo clicked. He raced through the Sudanese like a jet liner and centered twice for match winner Edward Acquah to increase the score to 3-0.
Ghana plunged into the attack right from the kick off and forced a corner kick in the 3rd minute but fumbled with with it.
The Sudanese soon found their feet and for a brief spell put the Stars under great pressure. The Stars hit back and a perfect combination between the soccer trojans- Edward Acquah, Leonard Acquah and Mfum found Salisu who sent in crashing shot.
Goalkeeper Sabit could not save it but there was nobody to connect so Ghana lost an opportunity of taking the lead.
The Sudanese were very fast and they used their usual long passes to advantage. Their goal- conscious fowards were very business-like and unlike the Stars they delivered shots from all angles.
By the 30th minute the Stars seemed to be out of the game. The forward line failed to click and it seems Leonard Acquah was the cause. He played below form spoiling the combination, he went about pushing people and was always at the off-side position.
Second Half
Ofei Dodoo replaced Leonard Acquah in the second half and he certainly brought new life into the game.
As usual, Ofei was very fast at the right wing and he fed the two goal merchants- Acquah and Mfum well.
The game was very fast with the Stars slightly on top. They combined effectively and their usual soccer artistry began to show results.
The pressure was great on the visitors and a Sudanese defender in a desperate attempt to stop an Ofei- Acquah- Mfum move, handled the ball in the goal area.
A penalty kick was awarded and skipper Aggrey Fynn scored to give Ghana the match needed lead in the 62nd minute.
You could imagine the sort of applause that greeted this goal. Everybody was on his feet.
The Stars got inspiration from that goal and they pinned the Sudanese to their own half of the field.
The stadium rocked again with thunderous cheers in the 72nd minute when Edward Acquah hit the net after receiving a neat pass from right winger Ofei Dodoo.
The Stars took full control of the game from that moment and they toyed with the Sudanese.
Ofei Dodoo who played a great game tapped a loose ball from Mfum. He outwitted the entire Sudanese with a body swerve, worked his way through the touchline and sent in a perfect pass to Acquah who scored to give Ghana a third goal in the 82nd minute.
The 18 – Man Squad
Dodoo Ankrah (Real Republicans), Evans Oblitey (Real Republicans),Ben Acheampong former Ben Simmons (Real Republicans), Franklin Crentsil(Real Republicans), Kwame Adarkwa (Kotoko) , Kofi Pare (Real Republicans), Wilberforce Mfum (Kotoko),Agyemang Gyau (Real Republicans, Leonard Acquah (Defence Stars), E.E Degraft (Corners Stones), Osei Kofi (Kotoko).
Addo Odametey (Real Republicans), Edward Acquah (Real Republicans), Mohammed Salisu (Kotoko) Aggrey Fynn(Captain) (Real Republicans), Ofei Dodoo (Hearts of Oak), Joe Aikens (Corners Stones), Atta Kwame (B.A United
Head Coach: C.K Gyamfi
Assistant coach: Ben Kouffie
Team Manager: Kwabena Haggan
Director of Sports: Ohene Djan
Elsewhere;
On this day 1 December 2001(Exactly 20 years ago) Mr Kofi Nsiah officially assumed his new role as new General Secretary of Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Nsiah turned up the second best applicant during the selection interview for the position at the Public Service Commission a couple of weeks earlier.
Mr Obeng Busia, who emerged the tops at the interview, turned down the job offer because of certain adverse remarks made about his salary.
On this day 1 December 1979 (Exactly 42 years ago today) Azumah Nelson beat Billy Kwame in Accra by a decision in eight rounds to mark his professional debut.
On this day 1 December 1995(Exactly 26 years ago today) Azumah Nelson recovered the WBC World Super Featherweight title in his rematch with Gabriel Ruelas by knocking him out in round five.
Bout Summary
Date: 1995-12-01
Location: Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USA
Judge: Daniel Van de Wiele 35-39
Judge: Carol Castellano 36-38
Judge: Angel Luis Guzman 36-38
Referee: Marty Denkin
BY: GEORGE ‘Alan Green’ MAHAMAH