Author: Victoria Nana Adwoa Kwofie
Week 12 of the Salpholda Hockey League delivered thrilling action as teams ramped up their performance, with just a few matches left in the season. The stakes were high as some teams fought to maintain their positions while others sought to climb the league standings.
In a significant turn of events, the University of Ghana hockey team forfeited their match against Reformers, handing their opponents a walkover victory, granting Reformers 3 points and 3 goals as per the league’s rules. GRA kept their African Cup aspirations alive with a commanding 5-0 victory over Legonknights. Defending champions, Exchequers, further solidified their dominance with a 4-0 win over Arkmen, extending their lead on the league table and bolstering their chances of representing Ghana in the next African Cup for Club Championship. The clash between Police and Army was a closely contested affair. Despite a strong defensive effort from the Police, which saw them keep the game goalless for three quarters, Army’s persistence paid off when Addison Abdellah scored the decisive field goal in the 59th minute, securing a 1-0 victory.
In the Women’s Division, Police made a strong statement by defeating Extinguishers 3-0, propelling themselves to 3rd place in the standings. GRA also benefitted from a walkover against Legonknights, gaining 3 points and 3 goals.
In another intense matchup, Army triumphed over Reformers in a dramatic comeback. After a goalless first quarter, Reformers took the lead through Hagar Laryea’s field goal, only for Army to equalize in the third quarter via Gbati Asana’s penalty corner and later clinch the win with a 57th-minute field goal by Acquah Juwaila. This defeat saw Reformers drop out of the top three.
The Masters Division, NDK Financiers secured their second victory of the season with a narrow 1-0 win over Golden Sticks. Citizens International overcame league sponsors Salpholda with a 3-1 victory.
Meanwhile, youth division league leaders, Hockey is the Reason were held to a goalless draw by Tema Manhean, in a match that saw both teams matched stick for stick. Finally, Einstein Hockey’s 5-0 win over Young Financiers lifted them to 3rd place on the league table, now standing at 7 points.