At this time, the Sequence options two of the standout gamers, Yakubu Ahmed and Anthony Mensah (Wang Yu).
Yakubu Ahmed, the highest striker projected for the season. He joined the membership mid-way within the 1973 league season when the registration window had closed.
This younger striker began the season on a superlative notice. Because it have been, lived as much as the expectations of one and all (Supporters, Technical Group and Officialdom).
Nevertheless, he left the membership after eight spherical of matches to affix the then bandwagon to Nigeria, specifically to Jos within the Plateau State, to affix the Mighty Jets Soccer Membership.
An enormous void was thus created. Nevertheless, with an excellent bench, Oblie Hammond got here in to fill that vacuum.
Previous to his departure, he had scored six targets. This included a superb purpose he scored in opposition to Asante Kotoko on the Kumasi Sports activities Stadium, through a 25-yard free-kick. This all vital purpose turned out to be the match winner for Oly Dade.
He, nonetheless, rejoined his colleagues in 1976.
Certainly, he introduced his presence with a picturesque purpose in a match in opposition to city- rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak, which ended 1-1 on the Accra Sports activities Stadium.
On this specific match, Yakubu performed the hanging position with one Quainoo, additionally a returnee from Nigeria. Certainly, they have been a delight to look at.
In 1979, Yakubu and his brother, Mohammed (Polo) Ahmed of Accra Hearts of Oak fame, left for the UAE.
Initially, the explanation was that, they have been going for additional Arabic Research. Nevertheless, they ended up taking part in soccer.
The likes of legendary George Alhassan, Anas (Thunder) Seidu, Emmanuel Quarshie, Willie Klutse, Francis (Mystic Man) Kumi and Adolf Armah, aka Rolandanster or Midfield Marshall, later joined them.
He got here again to the membership in 1982, to function in a pivotal match in opposition to Accra Standfast and scored a brace to make sure Olympics received 2-1.
Satirically, this match turned out to be Yakubu Ahmed’s fareproperly fixture for the Dade membership. He’s now domiciled together with his household within the USA.
The opposite gamers being featured right now is Anthony Mensah, affectionately known as Wang Yu.
A petite left winger recruited from Volta United Soccer Membership. He was an astute winger, who proved his value in a typical 4-2-4 formation.
He saved religion with the membership till 1979 when he left to affix Akosombo Akotex.
The recollections of this particular season will eternally stay with the die-hard Olympics followers till thy kingdom come.
Within the nutshell, it was a neck-to-neck race between Olympics and Hearts of Oak till a vital defeat of Hearts by Asante Kotoko, and an Olympics victory over Asante Kotoko settled the difficulty.
Curiously, the gamers who even featured for the reserve crew, Dade, have been excessive carry outers.
The likes of goalkeeper Adjei Nsiah, Henry Hammond (C Nortey), Daniel Adjetey, Patrick Okoe Schandorf, Gravies Abeka, Korle Dickson, Victor Armah, George Otinkorang, Legendary George Alhassan, Adofo Kissi and Abban Nai, amongst others, fashioned the integral a part of the reserve aspect.
It would curiosity readers to know that, a few of these gamers have been with the nationwide groups, notwithstanding the truth that, they have been taking part in for the reserve aspect.
George Alhassan, recruited from Kumasi Highlanders, was a member of the Black Meteors, the second nationwide crew. It was not an below 23 squad at the moment.
As a rule, this crew represented the nation in international invitational tournaments.
The season certainly, unearthed George’s expertise. Within the following 12 months, he turned the membership’s prime striker and was very instrumental within the membership’s first ever FA Cup victory.
He scored in nearly each match. His targets in opposition to Akosombo Akotex and Brong Ahafo United within the penultimate stage and grand finale are too monumental to be ignored.
He by no means rested on his oars, he went to win the Aim king or the Golden Boot within the 1977 league season.
George continued to pay his dues to the membership till 1980 when he left the nation, to play professional soccer within the UAE, Gabon, and South Korea, amongst different locations.
He, nonetheless, got here again to membership within the second spherical of the 1985 league season and received the Aim king award for this season below evaluate as Ghanaian sports activities writers christened the AFCON 1982 the ‘George’s AFCON.’
This was borne out to the truth that, his targets ensured Ghana’s qualification to the event and eventual profitable of the final word. He additionally received the Golden Boot of the tourney.
One other participant worthy of mentioning is George Otinkorang (Dade Mantse) who began his profession with Olympics.
Dade Mantse saved religion with the membership till 1980 when he relocated outdoors the nation.
Gravies Abeka, additionally began prime flight soccer with the Membership and was a member of the students’ nationwide crew, The Academicals.
He manned the Central Defence place with Captain Evans Aryeequaye of Hasaacas and Hearts of Oak fame.
Actually, they have been a delight to look at throughout the Ghana- Nigeria Sports activities Competition held in Accra in 1975.
In 1979, Gravies joined the bandwagon to Nigeria the place he featured for a few of their elite groups. He returned to Ghana. Nevertheless, his whereabouts usually are not well-known.
This piece won’t be complete if the most secure arms who together with Awudu Nelson, saved the purpose posts, is just not talked about.
He was within the individual of Dong Bortier, the Lion Coronary heart. A superb goalkeeper recruited from Akosombo Akotex.
He proved to the entire world that, certainly, he was a buddy of ace goalkeeper, John Naawu, the Rubberman. He exhibited some good goalkeeping exploits, very typical of his elder brother.
Dong had a quick stint with the membership as he determined to concentrate extra on his occupation as a Mariner or in case you like, Seafarer.
One other participant who was unearthed throughout this era was Ernest Alarbi.
He began his prime flight football with the membership and earned professionalmovement to the primary crew. Certainly, he scored the profitable purpose in opposition to Brong Ahafo United within the ultimate match. This nice purpose ensured Oly’s novelty FA Cup Triumph in 1975.
He was with the membership till 1981, when he give up the sport and determined to be a soccer referee.
He rose via the ranks, and have become a prime class match official.
Sadly, Ernest kicked the bucket a couple of years in the past.
BY JOSEPH BOYE
