Polo: Ghana win Nigeria Indece Cup

Accra Polo Club last Saturday lived up to expectation by thrashing Lagos Polo Club six-and-a-half to three in a keenly-contested duel to lift the Nigeria Independence Anniversary Cup at the polo grounds.

Following last year’s half goal defeat to the Nigerians, the Ghanaian squad, comprising Damian Duncan, George Agyemang, Pablo Bila and Awudu Mensah, started strongly and succeeded in building upon their half goal advantage (due to a 3-4 handicap) to restore the smiles on the faces of their fans.

With Captain Kwakye Dopoah-Dei and Sowee Saneo as umpires, it took just three minutes for the homesters to declare their intentions, after playmaker Agyemang raced deep into the opponents’ area to draw first blood.

Skipper Duncan, who hit a hat-trick on the day, followed up with the second goal two minutes later before skipper Mustie Fasinro pulled a goal back to end the first chukka.

With defeat staring them in the face, the Nigerians fought back fiercely in the second chukka and deservedly got their second goal through a penalty converted by Fasinro.

However, as if the day belonged to Ghana, Agyemang scored a personal second in the ninth minute of the third chukka to take the lead to three-and-a-half to two and atone for two earlier near misses.

The final chukka saw Duncan banging in two quick goals in the second and fifth minutes, followed by another strike by Pablo Bila, only for influential Ahmed Umar to score a consolation goal for his side on the stroke of time.

This year’s event was sponsored by Sandy Lane estate developers and Oak Plaza Hotel.