Jean Nelson and the Akuaffo hall will renew their rivalry when they come face-to-face with other on Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 at the Ayax 2 Park, in a Game of the Week encounter.
The two met in the Quarter- Finals of last year’s edition with the _Famers_ escaping with a 2-1 win amidst a wild field demarcation controversy. A last gasp penalty ended a promising Nelson run, and the big boys from the north eastern part of campus are desperate to make up for the loss.Bith Both teams have good arsenals to serve us with a thrilling contest but Akuaffo look the stronger of the two on paper.
AKUAFO
The Farmers are the fans favorite this year, following the extended ban on Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah halls. Akuaffo’s pedigree speaks for them.They have been semi-finalists in the last four editions of the University of Ghana Football league (UGFL) and finished in bronze position last year after the infamous loss to Jubliee/ISH hall. The farmers have some experience in their dug out, with UG assistant football coach Ebenezer Asamoah, a legend in his playing days at UG and a former captain of the Akuafo hall Football team. He’s assisted by Joshua Abayate another great mind of the game. But the _Farmers_ were not too convincing in their first game against the African Union hall. The got the Job done with a 1-0 win but everyone is asking for more.
PLAYERS; Akuaffo will be expected to parade a strong lineup with staunch midfielder Vincent Osei, Solomon and UG school team trio of Vincent Osei, Ishmeal Fuseini and Appiah-Kubi Michael leading the charge. The farmers will especially be counting on Appiah Kubi’s quality ( having featured for UG in two GUSA competitions) given the threat posed Nelson’s new boy Smaila Yakubu. When things get though, coach Asamoah can call on some spariodic players; enterprising youngster Prince Baidoo (Todd) has so much trickery to cause trouble for any kind of defence.
JEAN NELSON
Nelson look a more rejuvenated side in contrast to the side that featured in the last UGFL. Their exploits in the UGEL cup last semester; picking up 12 points in 4 games was telling. Their high tempo aggressive style and their daring approach to games have made them difficult to beat lately and Coach Baah Jeffery Osei deserves all the credit for some good work. Nevertheless _big boys_ may be desperately in need a trophy to cap their revolution and the Akuafo game is a big opportunity to sell their football. If there is any team at the North Eastern side of campus that looks more composed to give Akuaffo some trouble, its Jean Nelson.
PLAYERS; The big boys have found a good talisman in Adams Hamza, who is virtually their conductor in midfield and creator in chief. A package in the midfield who can squeeze acuurate passes through every pocket of space and has good enough vision to break defensive lines with his decisive passing. An individual show against Alex Kwapong and the _Frances_ during the UGEL cup was solid evidence.
Defensively, Zaid Nii Ayi Otoo will be integral to the Jean Nelson plot. Otoo had the energy of a bull and is known for his well time tackles and his vivacious tackling and marking skills. In attack the big boys looked more dangerous having secured the services Sumaila Yakubu Abambila, UG school team striker and may have their goal scoring woes solved in the interim should the Forward have a good day up front.
STATS
° Jean Nelson football team are winless in their last three games against traditional halls of the University of Ghana.
° Jean Nelson have not lost in their last 5 competitive games (W5, L0)
°Akuafo Hall has won 2 of the last 5 UGFL titles
°In the last 5 editions of the UGFL, the Farmers have failed just once, to make it to the semi-final.
° The farmers were winners of the 2018 UGFL.
° Jean Nelson’s best run in the UGFL was in the Quarter- finals of UGFL ’22. In the last 4 editions, the big boys have gone past the group stages only once.
° Appiah-Kubi of Akuafo hall together with Kwabena Boateng of Legon hall, are the most capped players in the UGFL ’23
WHAT THE COACHES SAY
🗣️ Baah ( Jean Nelson): “We know what Akuafo can do and we are ready for them. they underestimated us in the previous game and almost. run into trouble. our goal is to break the passing lanes and stop their fluidity. It should be a great game”
🗣️ Ebenezer Asamoah( Akuafo) :” We created a lot in our previous game but wr were not decisive upfront. Perhaps we will count on our fans and they have promised of massive support and we hope to win big today.”
The game is scheduled for 3:30pm on the 23rd of February 2023, at the Ayax 2 park of the University of Ghana. The game will be live on Radio Univers 105.7fm.
Story By: Godfred Dampte-Larbi | Univers.ug.edu.gh
