Soccer News of Monday, 8 February 2016

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Match Report: Medeama 1-0 AshantiGold

Triumphant Medeama SC Triumphant Medeama SC

Medeama SC claimed the bragging rights over AshantiGold with painful 1-0 victory in the Ghanaian Super Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

New signing Bernard Ofori was at the end of a captivating telepathic passes from the area in the 87th minute to win the game for the CAF Confederation Cup campaigners.

AshantiGold were celebrating what appeared to be a decent goal until they were told their effort was disallowed.

While Medeama were wowing the fans on attendance with their dazzling moves, most Premier League coaches were at the venue to spy on the two opponents lock horn in the game that ushers in the new season.

Hearts' Japanese coach Kenichi Yatshuhashi, WAFA coach John Killa and Ghana U17 trainer Paa Kwesi Fabin were all spotted in the stands.

Medeama - the victors were the FA Cup winners while AshantiGold went into the game as Ghana's champions.

It was a one way traffic in the opening 45 minutes for Tom Strands' men while the Miners were made to wait in the red light.

Medeama were in cruise control with impressive silky moves and admirable athleticism - commanding proceedings from defence, midfield to attack.

AshGold were purely riding on Medeama's bluntness and lack of precision and cutting edge upfront.

In several eye-catching moments, Medeama outsmarted the Miners in midfield and created chances with ease but always failed to find the killer instinct they craved for me.

However it was, Medeama were dominant and they kept asking the question carving out a handsome display of artistry to the around 5,000 fans on attendance at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The rich qualities of their squad was a measure of Kwasi Donsu's trademark abilities to fire from range. One of such attempts in the 17th minute pulled Ghana second choice Fatau Dauda to work.

The second was a powerful volley from a free-kick in the closing stages of the first department.

Bashir Hayford's boardroom talks from the interval seems to have fired his side into the game as they marched Medeama in midfield.

Their brightest chance in the game in an unbelievable miss by Emmanuel Osei Baffour. They also had a legitimate goal scored by Frederick Quayson disallowed by referee L O Laryea in the 78th minute.

Then Medeama knew they could not toy with their chances and new signing Bernard Ofori claimed the win for Medeama.

A brilliant wall pass from Benjamin Bature, had a great interpretation by Kwame Boahene and a clinical finish from an onside position saw Ofori wheeling away to celebrate his debut competitive goal for the Mauves while the Fatau Dauda and his defenders staged their protest - wrong; the former New Edubiase United man was in an onside position.

The protest from the AshantiGold defence for offside was sharply waived off by the referee.