Review: Shafiu’s hat-trick dumps Aduana, Hearts, Kotoko in narrow win

GNA – AshantiGold striker, Abdul Shafiu Mumuni’s performance against Aduana claimed an important three points for the miners, whilst Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko needed late spot kicks to pick maximum points in the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Normalisation Committee Special Competition.

The match day 12 of the Normalisation Committee(NC) special competition, played on Wednesday, May 15, at the various league centers, saw clubs making a strong case to progress to the next stage of the competition and recorded surprise away wins.

In the Northern Zone (Zone A), AshantiGold made it two wins in a row after their striker, Shafiu Abdul Mumuni scored a hat-trick in an emphatic 4-1 victory at home against Aduana Stars, who were at third on table with 15 points.

The results means, Ashgold would now move to third position with 17 points and a point behind second placed team Asante Kotoko who needed a late spot kick from defender Abdul Ganiu at home against Eleven Wonders to move to 19 points with only a point behind leaders Medeama.

In the other group matches, Bechem United moved to 14 points after they traveled to Berekum to beat Berekum Chelsea 3- 1, who are seventh on the table with just five points, courtesy goals from Kojo Owusu, Charles Mensah and Hope Ayayevu.

Elsewhere in southern zone (Zone B), a 75th minutes penalty strike from Christopher Bonney at home stretched Accra Hearts of Oak lead in the group to 25 points, over their closest opponent Karela United, who are second with 21 points, Whilst West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) are fifth on the group standing with 18 points after a surprise home defeat to Elmina Sharks who are now leading the home side with goals difference.

Inter Allies poor run of form continued in the competition as they suffered 2-0 home defeat to Liberty Professionals, who have now moved to third place in the group standing with 19 points.

The Ebusua Dwarfs and Dreams FC match was postponed due to heavy rainfall and the game would play on May 16.

Below are the full standings of the NC special tournament:

ZONE A STANDING; Points (pts), Goals Difference (Gls)

1. Medeama SC  –  19pts  +3Gls,  2. Asante Kotoko  –  18pts  +7Gls,  3. AshantiGold  –  17pts.  +4Gls,  4. Aduana Stars  –  15 pts   0Gls,  5. Bechem United  –  14 pts  -2Gls, 6. Eleven Wonders  –  11pts  -2Gls,  7. Berekum Chelsea  –  5 pts.  -9Gls.

ZONE B STANDING;

1. Hearts of Oak  –  25pts   +9Gls,  2. Karela United  –  21 pts. +3 Gls,   3. Liberty  –  19pts.  +6 Gls,  4. Elmina Sharks  –  18 pts.   +5Gls,   5. WAFA  –  18 pts.    0 Gls,  6. Abusua Dwarfs –  11 pts.  -7Gls,  7. Dreams FC  –  10 pts.  -7Gls,  8. Inter Allies  –  6 pts.   -11 Gls.

GNA