The 2023/24 Ghana Premier League outstanding game between Dreams FC and Real Tamale United (RTU) has been engulfed in alleged player impersonation.
Dreams, in 15th position, needed victory against the already-relegated Pride of the North to escape relegation in the clash played on Wednesday afternoon.
Agyenim Boateng scored a glut as the Still Believers thrashed their guests 8-1 at the Dawu Theatre of Dreams.
Full-time at the Theatre of Dreams
DREAMS FC 8️⃣ – 1️⃣ RTU#DreamsRtu#StillBelieve☝🏾💚 | #IGWT | #DFC4LIFE pic.twitter.com/Jodac7vss4
— DREAMS FC 🏆 22/23 FA CUP CHAMPIONS (@DreamsFootballC) June 12, 2024
But there was more to the game. For centre referee Franklin Akumatey, fourth referee Juliet Appiah, match commissioner Andrews Tamakloe and team managers for both sides, clarifications wil need to be made on the alleged player fraud.
Player Impersonation calls
Two players of RTU whose names have been stated in the official match teamsheet of the game, Lord Hillary Adabo and Lukeman Sheriff say they have been impersonated.
Lukeman in an interview with Light FM revealed the Club’s top handlers decided to use their names and kit numbers for the game after protests by senior players of RTU to pay salary arrears of over six months.
“Our CEO Mr Zakaria Safianu took his Division Two side Galaxy FC and one other Division Two side to play the Dreams FC game after the main team boycotted the game.
“Real Tamale United player Lord Adabo who scored the goal against Dreams FC didn’t travel with the team, he is now in Tamale so I’m surprised.”
Adabo the Goalscorer
“I am not the player who scored the RTU goal against Dreams FC today.I am currently in Tamale and I didn’t play any game today.
“I’ve seen on social media that I scored a goal but all I can say is that there’s only one Lord Hillary Adabo in RTU and I’m in Tamale.
“My management will attend to this matter and that’s all I can say for now.”
The official teamsheet for the game as seen below features the goalscorer Adabo as well as Emmanuel Mankuyeli who Footyghana sources say, was also in Tamale.
The source further went ahead saying all the players named on the teamsheet and on the bench are in Tamale and did not travel.
Moving forward, investigations will be made by the Ghana Football Association on the alleged impersonation calls as the top-flight league heads into its final match-week.
RTU play relegation-hunted Great Olympics in their last game.
