Author: Victoria Kwofie
The 2025 Salphoda Hockey League resumed with fireworks on Saturday, August 2nd, as Army handed defending champions Exchequers their first defeat of the season in a 3-2 contest at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Pitch.
Exchequers, who ended the first round unbeaten with 14 points and two draws (against Arkmen and Army), were eager to kickstart their second-round campaign with a win. Their clash with Army was the final match of the day and drew a packed crowd filled with supporters, players, and fans from across the hockey community.
Kofi Okyere Quagraine put Exchequers in front late in the first quarter with a well-executed penalty corner. However, Army responded with intensity, drawing level in the second quarter with a penalty corner goal. The pressure continued into the third quarter, and Army found the back of the net twice—first through a field goal in the 36th minute, and then again two minutes later in the 38th minute.
Exchequers’ star goalkeeper and 2024 SWAG Hockey Player of the Year, Acquah, was visibly frustrated, conceding his 9th goal of the season despite several impressive saves throughout the game.
With 7 minutes left on the clock, Exchequers’ signature tactics—fast breaks, long passes, and area balls—finally paid off. Quagraine stepped up once more, converting a penalty corner in the 53rd minute to reduce the deficit to 3-2. Despite a late push, the champions couldn’t find the equalizer.
Captain Bempah reflected on the loss after the match; we thought we had trained well for this game and the second round in general, but today’s results say otherwise. Army is a solid side. We know our title defense won’t come easy, so we’ll go hard in our subsequent matches and make our management and supporters proud.”
Exchequers now sit second on the league log with 14 points, and their next clash will be against GRA—another title contender.
