Ghana Police Ladies beat Fabulous Ladies 2-1 to become the first club to win the Sanford FA Cup plus a cash of GHC10,000 at stake for the winners at the new Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Saturday.
Both sides exhibited good football with the Police team looking physically and morally fit, while the young Fabulous Ladies played with determination as the thrilled the fans with veteran Abiba Suilemana displaying goal keeping skills.
Suleimana stood in for Fabulous Ladies gallantly and managed to save many goal bound shots from the poised Police strikers. However the security squad got the first goal through enterprising and forceful forward Faiza Ibrahim.
Their joy was cut short when Florence Boakye fabulously found the net for the equalizer. But Police striker Faiza Ibrahim was more determined for victory and she slammed home the match winner.
The Police team Coach ASP Darkey said at the Post Match Conference, he organused his players well and they were also motivated with promises made by the IGP to recruit some sports people into the Service.
Nana Owusu Sekyere, Head Coach of Fabulous Ladies lamented the loss of most of his good players saying most of them had travelled abroad to seek greener pastures and others with the Black Maidens preparing for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
He explained that eight of his usual first team were not around, and also gave credit to Memunatu Suleimana who has been with Fabulous Ladies for the last four seasons.
Police team Captain Patience Kpobie and her colleague jubilated after 90 minutes plus four minutes added time. She thanked God for the success and hope to defend the title next season.
Alice Kusi of Fabulous Ladies said their opponents dominated the game and deserved to win.
Agnes Aduakor of the Ghana Police won the Top Scorer with eight goals. Deborah Afriyie was adjudged the Best Player of the 2015/16 Sanford Ghana Women’s Football Association (FA) Cup. They were given trophies.
Fabulous Ladies went home with 5,000ghc and Hajia Habib Attah was impressed with their performance saying they were a young team with many playing at the high stage for the first time, such as diminutive young defender Florence Annor who showed promise.
James Slack, head of the Sanford World Clinic International said he was happy with the splendid organization of the final plus the cultural display and fantastic football.
Leanier Addy, Chair Person and Rosalind Amoh in charge of Communications, Media, and Publicity of the Ghana Women’s Football Board commended everyone who contributed to the success end of the Sanford Cup.
Sanford World Clinic, a health care organization has signed a four-year agreement worth GH¢1.1million with the Ghana Football Association to sponsor the Women’s FA Cup.
Fans who attend the game which was open free had the chance to win prizes, as part of the efforts to promote the game from Vodafone, MTN, Tigo, and Airtel.
Dignitaries from the Executive Committee of the GFA, the Traditional Council of Cape Coast and the Ghana Police Service graced the final which incidentally is the last competitive match of the season.
Credit: Sammy Heywood Okine
