TODAY IN HISTORY: HISTORIC GPL QUALIFICATION ON NZEMA SOIL BY KARELA UNITED.
“How Karela United made it to the premier League”
A complete story by Samuel Enyan.
Karela United football Club begun their journey to the Premiership land on February 28 in a tricky away fixture against the miners Bibiani Gold Stars.
Prior to that historic victory against Gold Stars in match day- one, Karela United have then parted ways with Frimpong Manso for Johnson Smith just 2 weeks into that game.
Recruitment
The management led by the late Senator David Cobbinah Brigidi brought in 14 new players to strengthen their team in all departments.
Nii Kalala
Ampem Da Costa
Abdul Karim
Kwodwo Addae
Eric Kesse
Amos Nkrumah
Diawise Taylor
Paul Korsah
Samuel Abeka
Emmanuel Mintah
Constant Kotoka
Enock Abakrow
Dominic Eshun
Vincent Bekoe
Godfred Yeboah
Anthony Kwaw
Dawuda Mohammed
All these players including some free agents were brought and contributed a lot in their premier league qualification.
PRE-SEASON
After massive recruitment done by the management, the team had it’s pre-season at Awiebo Bokass park for almost 12 weeks.
Friendly games were played to warm up their fitness.
THE ZONE II ( DOL)
Division one league zone II comprises of sixteen teams from the Western, Central and Ashanti Region.
All the teams battled for the ultimate slot to represent the zone in the Ghana premier league as well as the other zones ( Zone I and Zone III)
Each team played 30 games ( home & away ).
The competition was started in February 28, 2017 and ended on 2nd September, 2017.
THE LEAGUE PROPER
Karela United won 24 out of 30 games played, drew one and 5 loses.
They had an unprecedented total points of 73.
They gone unbeaten at home in fifteen games.
Table
Karela- 73 pts
Wins – 24
Draw-1
Loss-5
Goals against-16
Goals for -52
Goal diff- +36
Top scorer – S. Eduku (18)
CORONATION MATCH
on Sunday 2nd September, 2017.
The board Chairman of National Division One league Competition, Awuahene Acheampong handed over the trophy and the slot to Karela United after 2:1. Victory against Gold stars on that faithful day.
In his speech ,he said by quoting
” Its my pleasure and by the power vested in me, I now declare Karela United as the champions of the National Division One League Zone 2″
Congratulations, to the entire staff and we wish you all the best in your maiden Premiership debut”
He then handed over the trophy to the captain of the side Philip Quarshie and President Senator David Cobbinah Brigidi.
Chiefs, Politicians, Religious leaders, club Administrators were all present to grace that occasion at the fortress Crosby Awuah Memorial Park.
In attendance was Ghana Black Stars B team led by head coach Maxwell Konadu.
THE EXPENDITURE
According to the late Senator David Cobbinah Brigidi in his speech during the fun raising ceremony, he disclosed that Karela United spent Ghc 600,000 as expenditure for their Premiership qualification.
Karela United had a very best salary structure in the whole of 48 DOL clubs, with the highest earner of the team( Diawise Taylor) taking home Ghc 700.00 a month and the lowest was Ghc 300.00( Evans Etti)
Karela United had monthly expenses of 37,000 Ghc during that historic year.
THE SQUAD
Coach Johnson Smith used total of 36 players throughout the 2017 campaign.
Philip Quarshie was the captain of the team.
Philip Quarshie
Emmnauel Ansah
Isaac Hagan
Isaac Aryee
Jordan Kofi Boateng
Amon Noel
Benjamin Afutu Kotey
Franklyn Osei
Sampson Eduku
William Opoku
Emmnauel Boateng
Aboagye Da Costa
Isaac Danso
Evans Etti
Darlington Ofori
Aaron Osei
Amon Nii Kalala
Ampem Da Costa
Abdul Karim
Kwodwo Addae
Eric Kesse
Amos Nkrumah
Diawise Taylor
Paul Korsah
Samuel Abeka
Emmanuel Mintah
Constant Kotoka
Enock Abakrow
Dominic Eshun
Vincent Bekoe
Godfred Yeboah
Anthony Kwaw
Dawuda Mohammed
Technical Team
Johnson Smith
Ebo Mends
Emmanuel Sackey
Joe Baah
Nicholas Danquah
Ambrose Thompson
Evans Yeboah
CROWD
Karela United sold over 2,000 tickets on that faithful day of 2nd September, on record note it was the most game with highest the attendance.
The stadium was full into it’s capacity of 5,325.
It was Karela United 15th league game and up to date the Stadium is still unbeaten (league matches) in 25 games.
PASSIONS
Karela United Supporters union ( Passions ) paid a major contributions towards the qualification.
The powerful passion one led by Wofa Atta traveled with the team in all their away games, making Karela United the most followed in the DOL Zone 2.
MANAGEMENT
The management led by the late Senator David Cobbinah Brigidi toiled their bloods with their can do spirit to ensure the Premiership has arrived on Nzema soil.
President: Senator Brigidi
CEO:Lawrence Cudjoe
General Secretary:Koame Mieza Adonle
PRO: Samuel Enyan
CHIEF SCOUT:Emmanuel Cobbinah
CONGRATULATIONS ????? TO ALL THOSE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE
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