Division One League (DOL) Zone One campaigner's Young Apostles FC have appealed for fair officiating and security at all match venues when the second round of the season resumes this weekend.

The Apostles ended the first round of the season in seventh place but members of their playing body and management insist they would have finished much higher but for unfair officiating and hooliganism when they played away from home.

Centre-back Suleman Adomako and forward Emmanuel Mensah in separate interviews told the Daily Graphic that officiating and security must improve if the DOL Zone One is to produce a worthy representative for the Ghana Premier League at the end of the season.

"We are nine points behind the leaders and we are hopeful that we can climb higher with improved officiating and security at all match venues because at times the intimidation is too much," Adomako said.

Mensah who was recently registered for the second round continued: "We need the support of the officials and the security men so that when we are on the pitch we would have no fears of an attack and be fully focused on the match".

The pair were speaking on the sidelines of a visit by the team to the showroom of their sponsors Ashfoam in Accra.

Second-round target

The Executive Chairman of the Young Apostles, Samuel Anim Addo said the club had targeted a top-three finish at the end of the season and had augmented the team with the inclusion of coach Mohammed Tahiru and several talented young players.

He also expressed gratitude to Ashfoam for its continuous support to the team and many other sporting associations in the country.

"We are promising them that with their support we are going to be in the Top Four of the league and reach the semi-final stage of the FA Cup. We know about the intimidation and poor officiating but we are hopeful that it would improve and if it does, Young Apostles will be at the top".

The Head of Marketing and Communication of Ashfoam, Nana Yaw Ampem Darko Antwi said his outfit remains committed to the development of Ghanaian youth through sports.

He said Ashfoam was proud to be associated with a successful brand such as Young Apostles which had in five years risen swiftly up Ghana's football divisions.

Young Apostles will resume their DOL league campaign on April 18, 2021, with a trip to Sunyani Coronation Park to face Nkoranza Warriors SC.