Bofoakwa Tano have beaten Real Tamale United (RTU) by 2-1 at the Sunyani Coronation park yesterday to break the 16 year wait for a top flight win.
The dreaded Sunyani Coronation park was buzzing as the wait for participation in Ghana’s elite division was over. Saaka Dauda and Steven Owusu etched their names into the annals of Bofoakwa Tano’s football heritage although RTU’s Mohammed Iddriss looked to mar the occasion for the green and white boys.
A Historic Day in Sunyani
Bofoakwa Tano made their return to the top flight of Ghana football after missing out for 16 years since the 2006/2007 season; that was the last time Bofoakwa Tano participated in the Ghana premier League.
The men from Sunyani travelled to Accra on their first outing to face Accra Great Olympics where the cagey game ended in a stalemate at the Accra sports stadium.
Idrissu Gadaafi of RTU caught Boafoakwa Tano’s Imbrahim Najiib with a flailing arm in the 13th minute, which resulted in a free kick at the edge of the box. Skipper of the side, Saaka Dauda stepped up to take it and was majestic in his execution of the set piece as his lovely curled effort went over the wall to convert into an RTU goal.
Saaka’s goal was over 856 weeks in the making as the captain became the first Boafoakwa Tano player to score a premier league goal since Akwasi Boateng in the 2006/2007 season.
RTU had a free kick of their own in the 18th minute but was feebly struck at goalkeeper Emmanuel Kobi. Saaka Dauda came close to doubling his sides lead and getting a brace for himself but his header sailed wide of the post.
The pride of the North were struggling to cope with a well motivated Bofoakwa Tano side who had their 12th man roaring them on throughout the game.
RTU’s best opportunity of the first half fell to Lord Hilary Adabo who directed Baba Kushibo’s corner kick on target but was cleared of the line by Bofoakwa Tano.
A one sided half saw Bofoakwa Tano outclass Real Tamale United. But it was the pride of the North who were on the front foot at the commencement of the second half. Baba Kushibo came close to leveling the game but was denied by the post after his free kick on the hour mark. The Pride of the North were however not denied a minute later with skipper, Mohammed Abdullah side footing his low drilled effort into the net.
The frantic game saw Bofo hit back almost immediately but Boakye Kyereh’s shot was miscued at the back post. It was followed by an Elijah Addai strike from range with 20 minutes to the end of the game but Addai’s effort was deflected and crept narrowly wide.
There was upheaval in the noise level amongst the spectators when the home side were awarded a spot kick in the dying embers of the game. Boafoakwa goalkeeper, Afriyie Nana Yaw collided with Boakye Kyereh which ultimately resulted in the infringement.
Steven Owusu stepped up to dispatch the penalty kick emphatically and shattered any glamour of hope Real Tamale United had of earning a point in the encounter.
Real Tamale United looked a pale shadow of the side that were relentless against Accra Hearts of Oak on the opening day of the 2023/2024 Betpawa Premier League season at the Aliu Mahama Stadium, whilst Boafoakwa Tano made positive strides in their quest to remain in the elite division of Ghana football.
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Story by: Andrews Sefa Bamfo | univers.ug.edu.gh
