NWL clubs call for fair officiating as league heads for an end

Events that characterised the Match Day 8 fixtures of the National Women's League (NWL) have led to clubs asking for fairness from match officials and fair play from participating clubs as the competition rolls to an end.

Last weekend's matches witnessed intimidation at Ajumako Park, attack on match officials at Tamale, as well as heated arguments at Gyandu as clubs jostled for points.

At Gyandu where Hasaacas Ladies beat Blessed Ladies 3-0, the visiting team complained of bad officiating which did not only cost them, but also brought the game into disrepute, with officials claiming that "the match officials simply did not want us to play."

There was another reported case of bad officiating at Ajumako where southern zone leaders, Soccer Intellectuals, beat Immigration Ladies 2-1. Aside the loss, the home fans intimidated Immigration with threats of physical attack.

After Lepo Ladies had gone down 1-3 to Prisons Ladies, the match officials were reportedly attacked and it almost ended up in assault of the referees but for the timely intervention of some security personnel who were present to watch the game at the Tamale Senior High School Park.

"We cannot allow these things to happen. There are only two matches to go and we should not allow bad officiating and such intimidation to go on. The Women's League Board (WLB) and the Referees Appointment Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) must sit up and deal with the issues before they get out of hand and ruin women's football, which is already struggling for support and sponsorship," Adam Nuhu, the President of Blessed Ladies, said.

The results of matches played have seen some changes in the league standings as clubs push to finish on top and qualify for the champions play-off.

Ampem Darkoa's 5-0 win over Dreamz Ladies in Kumasi have pushed them on top of the northern zone standings with 16 points, while Prisons Ladies are second with 15 points, Fabulous Ladies, who held Ashtown Ladies who played to a 2-2 draw in their derby are third and fourth with 14 and 13 points respectively, while Lepo Ladies are fifth with 10 points. Dreamz, neck deep in relegation, have just a point.

In the southern zone, Intellectuals still lead with 15 points, defending champions, Hasaacas are second with 13 points, while LadyStrikers (10), Police Ladies (nine), Immigration (seven) and Blessed Ladies (six) follow in that order.

NWL Match Day 8 results

Hasaacas Ladies 3, Blessed Ladies 0

Police Ladies 0, LadyStrikers 0

Soccer Int. 2, Immigration 1

Lepo Ladies 1, Prisons 3

Dreamz Ladies 0, Ampem Darkoa 5

Ashtown Ladies 2, Fabulous 2