It happened in an ecstatic and a biting atmosphere at the GUSA basketball tournament as the Tarkwa based University, UMaT slump to a 51-29 defeat against the favourite Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in the third place match .
Notwithstanding the energy of seemingly ‘‘old chickens’’ at their disposal, KNUST flamboyantly dressed in a yellow and green jersey were the cynosure of all eyes. Their fighting spirit, composure, tactics were superb. They put up a fabulous performance to white –wash UMaT, a feat that enabled them to be named in the money zone.
Effervescence Kofi Attefuah, a final year student won the man of the match after creating almost all the chances, scoring 24 points with 11 assist and 6 rebounds. Before the game, KNUST were inches away from clinching the ultimate but were stoop in their semi final clash by the eventual winners, University of Ghana.
To appease their long suffering fans for their appalling performance the Kumasi based boys from fought like angry lions starved for three week. They were eager to unleash the dose of defeat, frustration and humiliation to their opposite number.
UMaT were clumsy in defense, shooting was miserable, lacked creativity upfront, passes were incomplete, the records show they are first timers. Now this disappointing, tedious affair, display by the Tarkwa boys can be added to the loss in concentration that caused their opponent to over take them in third and final quarters.
You cannot take anything away from the KNUST boys given their aura of invincibility. They were absolutely sensational, thanks to the tactical ingenuity of Coach George Ampratwum. He has done a good job and deserves to be praised.
Meanwhile, the ladies from KNUST shocked pundits when they came first in the women category picking up the trophy, products from Nestle Milo and Voltic and the cash prize.
I must admit, it was a spectacle to see KNUST keeping their head above the water as they bid to stage the next GUSA games in the garden city.
The fans will be behind them in their own backyard but will face the challenge of missing the services of valuable players like Kofi Attefuah and Andrew Quansah because they will be out of school.
If the host and win philosophy will work for them then I expect the coach to find and introduce fresh limbs to replace the loss.
The next GUSA games promises to steer and bundle basketball in Ghana in a new and rather interesting direction. That is the spirit.
The next competition will be a host and win affair. I promise everybody. We will repeat the dose and the standard legon has set.The sweet performance is just the beginning. The coming games to be held in Kumasi will be a cracker. Thanks to MILO. Please let the sponsorship come when we stage the competition in Kumasi.Basketball is now biiig.
we will be there to take what was ours.UEW
The host and win agenda has already began.We only hope for the best of officiating and a successful tournament. The next GUSA games shall be staged in the best University in Ghana. All the same congrats to Cyril for winning the MVP award,you really deserved it.Congrats to KNUST FEMALE TEAM.You deserve to be true champions and i love and respect u ladies for that. I think you have really worked hard for this. Ayekoooo!!!!!!!!!!! once again.
Big ups to the KNUST basketball teams especially the female team….they really are champs..
and a big congrats to Felicia M V P SARPONG ….