The 2025 Sapholda Hockey League season took off with fireworks as GRA Men, Sapholda, and Exchequers flexed their early dominance in Week 1 of the campaign.
The Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium in Accra was the center of attention as defending champions, title hopefuls, and hungry challengers all began their quest for silverware on Saturday, May 3.
GRA Men’s Ruthless win against Legon knights
Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Men made light work of Legon knights in their opening match, brushing aside the university boys with a 5-0 thrashing. In the Men’s A league, GRA showed no signs of rust as they fired from all angles, dictating play and defending confidently. The Legon knights were completely outclassed, with GRA’s tactical fluidity and sharp finishing making the difference.
Golden Sticks level with Multistix
In what turned out to be the most entertaining match of the weekend, Golden Sticks and Multistix treated fans to a dramatic 3-3 draw in the Masters League. Both sides played end-to-end hockey, with lead changes and missed opportunities characterizing the clash. Golden Sticks will be disappointed after twice taking the lead, while Multistix’s resilience ensured they didn’t leave empty-handed.
Financiers 0-6 Sapholda
Still in the Masters League, sponsors Sapholda began their campaign with ruthless intent, demolishing Financiers 6-0 in what was arguably the most dominant performance of the week. The attacking trio of the yellow and green side, carved open the Financiers’ defense repeatedly, showing clinical precision in all quarters of the game. With such a powerful start, Sapholda have firmly announced themselves as serious title contenders.
Prisons Men 1-4 Exchequers
Back to the Men A league, Exchequers proved too strong for Prisons Men, securing a comfortable 4-1 victory with composure and control. The bankers from Bank of Ghana opened their account with style, converting chances while neutralizing Prisons’ threats effectively to lead 3-0. Prisons did get a goal back, but it only served as consolation in a match that Exchequers never looked like losing.
Police Men 3-1 Army Men — The Law vs The War
In the battle of the service sides to wrap up the Men A league, law enforcers Police earned bragging rights, defeating the War Men by 3-1. The highly-anticipated clash lived up to its billing with intense tackles and quick transitions, but Police Men showed more structure in the final third. Utilizing their chances, Police came back stronger in the 2nd and 3rd quarter to win by 3-1, after a 1-1 in the first quarter.
It was a confident start of the season for Police, who stole the bragging rights from their Army neighbors.
Ark Ladies did not turn up for their match against University of Ghana in the Ladies Development category.
Next Saturday, May 10, 2025 will see six great matches, from the Men B league, to the ladies, who will love to replicate feats achieved in the first week.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
