…Leave for Nigeria today
AFTER FETCHING five goals against the newly formed local Black Stars, the Head Coach of the Black Meteors, Jones Attuquayefio has declared that, “the boys’ composure and determination makes me confident that we can qualify.” The Meteors demonstrated high level of foot work to triumph 5-0 over the local Stars in a fine-tuning game at the Liberty Park yesterday.

In a post match interview, Mr.Attuquayefio stated that, “the 0-0 first leg result makes the Abeokuta showdown open, and we are determined to go past our Nigerian counterparts to qualify.”

He said that the team was now finding its rhythm and with growing confidence in camp coupled with intense determination, they would leave good footprints in Nigeria on Saturday.

It was Sadat Bukari, spearheading Meteors attack who demonstrated high predatory instincts to register a hat trick in the friendly encounter.

He opened the scoring as early as in the 4th minute after connecting home a perfect cross. He scored a personal second from a free kick when he delivered a thunderous strike which goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda stretched full length but failed to save.

With the 2-0 lead, Attuquayefio threw more men forward and in one of the raids, Obed Ansah headed home Bukari’s scissors- kick in the 31st minute.

Eight minutes to the break, Stars’ striker Moses Andoh came too close, yet too far to pull one back for his side when goalkeeper Kotei Blankson scooped the ball from the goal line.

Ten minutes into the second half, Emmanuel Clottey added his name to the scoring sheet when he tapped home a rebound after substitute goalkeeper Emmanuel Ackon failed to make a first time save.

Coach Attuquayefio reshuffled his cards after the first half and replaced Sadat with Michael Helegbe and Michael Akuffo for Yao Kumordzie who was a constant threat to the Stars’ backline.

And in one of his expeditions, he succeeded in earning a spot kick, which he converted beautifully to seal the doom of the opposition.

In separate interviews after the game the players pointed out that: Sadat Bukari: “I am confident that we shall qualify. I don’t think they can beat us in Nigeria. The pressure will be on them and we shall capitalize on that to carry the day.”

Michael Helegbe: “It’s unfortunate I will not be part of the team, but if they play like we did this morning, they will sail through, the chance is ‘50-50’.”

Jerry Akaminko: “We are determined to qualify, and nothing can stop us.” Goalkeeper Eric Nii Baah: “We are hopeful that all being equal, we shall return home victorious.”

Coach Claude Le Roy: “It is a difficult task, but you see in football anything can happen. We are behind them and I think they can pull a surprise. They played well today.”

Coach Oti Akenteng: “The team is growing in confidence and if they continue like what we saw this morning, I have no doubt that they will qualify.”