AMMSAG KNUST, SOCCER TOURNAMENT

On 22nd June, 2024, AMMSAG KNUST carried out its sixth program for the semester. The Soccer Tournament, organized among three other denominations, GHAMSU (Ghana Methodist Students’ Union), NUPSG (National Union of Presbyterian Students-Ghana) and IVCC was to foster good relationships in and outskirt of AMMSAG and display the hidden talent of members in the realm of football.

The cold morning weather drove 22 AMMSAG, 27 GHAMSU, 15 IVCC and 30 NUPSG members to Maa Joe field with the secondary aim to fight back the cold weather with warmth through activities in the tournament. The atmosphere was gradually getting to its boiling point with the intensive warm ups from the teams, creating a competitive environment.

With much done, the tournament started with NUPSG and GHAMSU, which began around 8:30 am and lasted for 20 minutes for each half. With a high defensive play from both sides, strikers barely got close to the keeper, leaving the full match to end with a score line of 0:0. This balanced the jubilation of spectators. To declare the winner, the teams engaged in a penalty shootout and with a score of 2:1 NUPSG won.

The next match, between AMMSAG and IVCC, with no delay commenced right after the penalties. AMMSG, being the host of the tournament placed no doubt to be victorious at the end, which was showcased in their level of organization and resilience led by Malik Bosomtwe (AMMSAG president) as the captain. The opponent countered the strikes of AMMSAG and skillfully issued many shots that were to no avail. Almost to the end of the first half, a perplexing goal took IVCC by surprise, exposing their weakest spots to their notice, which was then reinforced by new players in the second half. The second half started with an open play from both sides, which changed in the middle of the game with IVCC, switching into defensive mode while AMMSAG pushed forward for another goal. The effort was realized when Adam, AMMSAG organizer issued a strike into the net, ending the game with 2:0. With time playing a major role, it was agreed that precedence should be given to the finals.

At this point, the dim sun was at its center, the anticipation was palpable. This was not just any game; it was the final of the tournament, with AMMSAG facing off against NUPSG. The air buzzed with excitement as spectators held an exciting environment filled with victorious cheers from both sides. The first half started very tensely, with both teams testing each other’s defenses. AMMSAG came close to breaking the deadlock with powerful striking, but NUPSG opened the scoring with a sublime keeper encounter that curled very close to the left side post ending the first half. With the score line 1:0 against AMMSAG, the captain strategically made some changes to fit the opponent’s style of play. The second half began with a professional back to back, setting the playing teams on an equal level of dominancy. AMMSAG proved itself by scoring a well-calculated goal that had no touch to anything except the net, refreshing the game to its birth. The game, now balanced on a knife-edge was interrupted by NUPSG with a goal, sending the game back to its original form at the start of the second half. It was not long before AMMSAG leveled the score with a brilliant solo effort, weaving through defenders and slotting the ball past the keeper. As the clock ticked down, NUPSG made a decisive move. A swift counter-attack saw an opponent player who fed the ball to their striker, who coolly chipped the ball into the net putting NUPSG ahead once more. AMMSAG had a last minute encounter with the goalkeeper, which was struck with a miscalculation flying the ball away from the post, peacefully ending the match with the score line 3:2. Making AMMSAG second in the tournament.