VAR experimented at 2021 Ramadan Cup final

Published on: 24 May 2021

Kasoa were victorious in their first appearance in the Sheikh Nuhu Osman Sharubutu Ramadan Cup in Fadama on Sunday evening.

Team Kasoa put on a good show to beat Hohoe Zongo 1-0 in the finale at the Fadama park.

Personalities at the tournament were National Chief Imam, three-time African footballer of the year – Abedi Pele, Black Stars coach Charles Akonnor, Black Stars B coach Ibrahim Tanko, Members of Parliament Peter Amewu, Patrick Boamah, and the Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif.

Kasoa overcame Tema Zongo, Dansoman's Tunga, and Sukura on route to the final, setting up a thrilling semi-final encounter with Ashaiman, which they won in a penalty shootout to set up a final meeting with Hon Peter Amewu's Hohoe Zongo.

The tournament also saw Ghana's first display of Video Assistant Technology (VAR), which is used in elite leagues all around the world. The new VAR equipment at the Fadama venues ultimately determined the final game after the referee consulted it twice.

With various judgments in the Ghana Premier League creating problems and controversy, Sports Minister Mustapha Usuf, who sat through the competition, proposed that the Ghana Football Association should follow the Ramadan cup organizers' lead.

“I was shocked, I didn’t even know that there’s VAR here, but at least this is something that we can learn from – that even our Premier League should be able to introduce such technology, so that it will bring the unity and peace that we are all yearning for.

“Especially recent days where players and supporters have been attacking referees. If the VAR is there, it will solve those problems,” he added.

The Ramadan Cup this year had 24 teams from the Zongo communities competing for the title.

Cheetah FC's Charles Appiah was named the tournament's best player after displaying brilliant skill throughout the campaign.

Patrick Boamah, Member of Parliament for the Okaikwei Central Constituency, complimented the organizers for a job well done.

“I’m happy New Fadama has been defined as the new sporting community in Ghana. We have a lot of sporting talents here, and the hosting of this tournament has also helped us unearth a lot of talent. The people are happy, we had a very peaceful tournament thanks to the organizers, sponsors – The National Chief Imam was here, the sports minister was here, former captain of the Black Stars Abedi Pele, Coach CK Akunnor and a host of other important personalities.

“Let me use this opportunity to congratulate the winners, the team from Kasoa for that sterling performance, especially the winner of the best player trophy – Charles Appiah. Such an exciting player. I wish him well and I wish the organizers well,” the MP said.