On this day 8 May 2002 (Exactly 17 years ago) Kumasi Asante Kotoko played a determined game against Dawu Youngsters to win 5-2 in a Premier League match played at the Kumasi Stadium.
Scores at half time were two goals apiece but Kotoko atoned for their shortfalls in the second half and added three more goals to make it five for their side.
Dawu showed early signs of determination to carry the day when Ho-based class one referee Frank Fudzi signalled the two sides into action.
Dawu opened the scores in the 23rd minute through left full back Samuel Bakai before Nana Frimpong equalised for Kotoko two minutes later. Stephen Oduro increased the tally to two for Kotoko three minutes after the equaliser.
Nine minutes later Mohammed Polo also equalised for Dawu through a header to end the half. Malik Gargo from Dawu was sent off the game after a second bookable offence.
Nana Frimpong scored from a header to make it three for Kotoko ten minutes after recess.
Kotoko increased the tempo of their game afterwards and mounted pressure on Dawu and substitute Joe Okyere made it four in the 62nd minute and scored again in the 87th minute to seal the doom of Dawu
Kotoko Line – up : Osei Boateng; Aziz Ansah, Godfred Yeboah, Dan Acquah, Joe Hendricks; Joe Sam/Anars Mohammed, Godwin Ablordey, Stephen Oduro , Joe Louis; Nana Arhin Duah/Stephen Owusu Nana Frimpong/Joe Okyere
Elsewhere on the same afternoon, a classic goal from the boot of Awuley Quaye Jnr paved the way for Hearts of Oak to secure a 3-0 win against visiting Berekum Arsenals in their premier league clash at the Accra Stadium.
Quaye Jnr broke the deadlock in the 34th minute with a long range right-footed shot which took goalkeeper Isaac Zogah by surprise.
Arsenals, until the goal, had dominated the Phobians in a nail-biting encounter for the first 33 minutes playing entertaining game instead of converting their chances into goals.
Hearts earlier had four clear chances to open the scoring through Frank Turkson, Kenneth Sarpong, Wisdom Abbey and Awuley Quaye Jnr in the 10th, 24th, 27th and 32nd minutes respectively, but all of them missed targets narrowly.
Hearts slippery winger, Sarpong, however doubled his side’s lead in the 40th minute when he capitalised on the visitors defensive blunder to slot home the ball after his colleague Abbey had squandered a glorious chance to score.
Hearts, transformed themselves after recess, playing some delightful football and creating numerous dangerous chances, one of which resulted in their third goal in the 71st minute through Wisdom Abbey.
Abbey tapped in the ball from Awuley Quaye Jnr’s rebound when goalkeeper Zogah incidentally punched the ball in front of him.
Arsenals spirit was further dampened in the 88th minute through Dan Quaye when he expertly headed the ball on the line to deny the visitors a consolation after goalkeeper Sammy Adjei had completely been beaten.
On this day 8 May 2016 (Exactly 3 years ago) Aduana Stars stretched their winning streak to four games after mauling Dreams FC 4-0 at the Nana Agyemang-Badu Park in the Ghana Premier League.
Richard Mpong raced the Ghanaian champions into the lead with a 9th minute goal before Yahaya Mohammed scored the 2nd and 3rd goals in the 23rd and 30th minutes.
Midfielder Bright Adjei, whose overhead kick against AshantiGold won international recognition, added the fourth goal for Aduana.
On this day 8 May 2016 (Exactly 3 years ago ) Dauda Mohammed scored twice as Asante Kotoko recorded a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Ebusua Dwarfs in the Ghana Premier League .
Striker prodigy Dauda Mohammed bagged a brace in between Frank Sarfo Gyamfi’s clinical finish to send Kotoko to fifth on the table.
On this day 8 May 2017 (Exactly 2 years ago) The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi was appointed the 1st Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Mr Nyantakyi’s nomination for the post was validated by the CAF Executive Committee during its first meeting under the reign of current CAF President Ahmad Ahmad in Manama, Bahrain.
Nyantakyi became the second most powerful person in African football and the first Ghanaian Vice President of the African football governing body, CAF.
DR Congo native, Constant Omari was also named the 2nd Vice President after his nomination was approved by the CAF Executive Committee.
On this day 8 May 1996 (Exactly 23 years ago) Paris Saint-Germain of France won the 36th European Cup Winner’s Cup against Rapid Wien of Austria 1-0
at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, thanks to a free kick from Bruno N’Gotty.
On this day 8 May 2013 (Exactly 6 years ago) Sir Alex Ferguson announced that he will retire as Manchester United manager at the end of the season, after nearly 27 years in charge of the club. He caps his time at the club by leading them to a 13th Premier League title and 20th top flight title.
The Scot, 71, won 38 trophies during his reign at Old Trafford and now a director and ambassador for the club.
His haul includes 13 league titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
“The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about. It is the right time,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson praised the people he felt helped him build the club from a team that had not won a title for 26 years into one of the biggest in the world.
“I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential,” he added. “My wife, Cathy, has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.
“As for my players and staff, past and present, I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs. Without their contribution the history of this great club would not be as rich.
“In my early years, the backing of the board, and Sir Bobby Charlton in particular, gave me the confidence and time to build a football club, rather than just a football team.
“Over the past decade, the Glazer family have provided me with the platform to manage Manchester United to the best of my ability and I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with a talented and trustworthy chief executive in David Gill. I am truly grateful to all of them.
“To the fans, thank you. The support you have provided over the years has been truly humbling. It has been an honour and an enormous privilege to have had the opportunity to lead your club and I have treasured my time as manager of Manchester United.”
Ferguson is the most successful manager in the history of the British game and famously won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999.
Co-chairman Joel Glazer highlighted Ferguson’s desire to produce winning teams throughout his time at United and called the 2008 Champions League victory over Chelsea in Moscow a “magical night”.
He said: “Alex has proven time and time again what a fantastic manager he is, but he’s also a wonderful person. His determination to succeed and dedication to the club have been truly remarkable.
“I will always cherish the wonderful memories he has given us, like that magical night in Moscow.”
On this day 8 May 1907 (Exactly 112 years ago) Tommy Burns, the only Canadian – born World Heavyweight champion beat Jack O’Brien in 20 rounds. for heavyweight boxing title.
On this day 8 May 1993 (Exactly 26 years ago) Lennox Lewis beat Tony Tucker in 12 rounds at the Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, US. Retained his WBC heavyweight title.
On this day 8 May 1984 (Exactly 35 years ago) The Soviet Union announced it will not participate in Los Angeles Summer Olympics in retaliation for the American boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
BY: GEORGE “Alan Green’ MAHAMAH