On this day 24 December 2006 (Exactly 12 years ago)
An 82nd minute goal scored by substitute Stanley Afedzi enabled Accra Hearts of Oak to beat Kumasi Asante Kotoko 1-0 in their One Touch Premier League match at the Robert Mensah stadium in Cape Coast to bring down the curtain on the first round of the 2006/07 League season.
After a goalless first half, both sides exhausted their substitution list in an effort to improve their game plan.
Tragedy hit Kotoko in the 55th minute when their defender Murtala Mohammed was red carded for a second offence.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Kotoko matched their opponents boot for boot until Afedzi scored the match winner to send the Phobians into a Christmas mood.
On this day 24 December 1968(Exactly 50 years ago)
Former Manchester United winger George Best won the Ballon d’Or award for best European football player ahead of team mate Bobby Charlton and Red Star Belgrade winger Dragan Džajić; first and only Northern Irish national to win the award.
He was the third Manchester United player to win the trophy after Denis Law (1964) and Bobby Charlton (1966).
On this day 24 December 1991(Exactly 27 years ago)
Marseille forward Jean-Pierre Papin was named as Ballon d’Or winner for Europe’s best football player; first from the French League to win the trophy
Papin was the third French national to win the award after Raymond Kopa and Michel Platini.
On this day 24 December 1995 (Exactly 23 years)
PSG/Milan’s Liberian striker George Weah was named as winner of the Ballon d’Or for Europe’s best football player; first edition where players born outside Europe permitted to receive votes
On this day 24 December 1996 (Exactly 22 years ago) Former Borussia Dortmund’s German sweeper Matthias Sammer was named best football player in Europe (Ballon d’Or) ahead of PSV/Barcelona striker Ronaldo and Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer.
By: George “Alan Green” Mahamah
