On this day 10 November 2002 (Exactly 18 years ago today ) Hearts of Oak won the Ghana Premier League Trophy for the sixth successive season when they drew 1-1 with Bofoakwa Tano in their action-packed last league match at the Sunyani Coronation Park before a capacity crowd.
Among the dignitories who watched the epic encounter were Mr Kofi Nsiah, Secretary General of GFA, Ingatius Baffour Awuah, Sunyani District Chief Executive, Dr Kwesi Botchway, an aspiring presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr Mike Gizo and Dr Mustapha Ahmed, both MPs.
By this victory, Hearts set an enviable record of not only annexing the league cup six consecutive times but also being the only club in the country to have won the top scoring club and the goal-king award on six occasions.
No sooner had Cape Coast-based class One referee Essel Walker signalled the two teams into action than ubiquitous Bernard Don “Diouf” Bortey made incursions into Bofoakwa’s goal area and threatened goalkeeper Mohammed Alhassan with three powerful shots but the striker missed target on all occasions.
Bofoakwa took a surprise lead in the 16th minute when their striker Kwadwo Opoku beat goalkeeper James Nannor with a bulllet shot after receiving a neat pass from Pasco Amponsah and held on to this slim lead till half time. Hearts changed their pattern of play in the second half and mounted a sustained pressure on Bofoakwa.
Their efforts were rewarded in the 50th minute when Don Bortey scored the much-needed equaliser after beating a host of Bofoakwa defenders before planting the ball in the net to the admiration of their numerous supporters who had travelled from the length and breadth of the country to watch the match.
Hearts made two changes against Bofoakwa’s three in the second half. Kenneth Sarpong replaced Don Bortey while Massawudu Yahaya took over from Laryea Kingston.
Bofoakwa on the other hand, pulled out Kwaku Adu for Alhaji Iddrisu, Tahiru Addulai replaced Kwadwo Opoku while good-old Ben Kusi went in for Kwaku Duah. The changes did not, however, alter the score line.
The Sunyani DCE, assisted by the GFA secretary, presented the prestigious league cup to Hearts skipper, Joe Ansah who in turn, handed it over to Thomas Okine, the Chief Executive of the champion club.
After the match, thousands of Hearts supporters, some of them in a fleet of vehicles went through the principal streets of Sunyani to celebrate their club’s victory, lasting deep into the night.
Desperate Dawu win but to no avail
Dawu Youngsters managed a 1-0 victory over Obuasi Goldfields at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium but that could not save them from relegation after final league matches.
They join fellow Eastern region club Suhum Maxbees who were stuck at the bottom of the 16-club league while yet another Eastern region club, Power F/C who placed 14th won a play off against Dwarfs of 3 May 2003, to secure their stay in the premiership.
Don Bortey and Charles Taylor Finish as Top Scorers
Accra Hearts of Oak did not only win the 2002 Premier League but was also emerged as the top scoring side for the season with 72 goals. And the men who ensured that Hearts achieved the feat, the ‘terrible terror’ Charles Taylor and Bernard ‘Diop’ Don Bortey shared honours by jointly winning the season’s goalking award netting half of Hearts’. They registered 18 goals apiece.
Top Soreres
18 – Charles Taylor, Don Bortey (Hearts)
12 – Godwin Ablordey (Kotoko)
10 – Kossi Noutsoujie (Goldfields) Wisdom Abbey (Hearts) Amui Quaye (Olympics)
By : George ‘Alan Green’ Mahamah
