Medeama Sporting Club wasted no time to clinch their first win in their debut participation in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup with a 3-1 win over Young Africans on Tuesday at the Sekondi stadium.
Medeama had waited until their fourth group match but the long awaited victory was sealed within 36 minutes of action in the first half. They knew the consequences of goals delayed and they stepped up the gear like how they won matches at home in the qualifiers.
But it started with the usual wastefulness from the Tarkwa based side in the very opening minute when Eric Kwakwa missed a sitter. Kwakwa run to control a pass from Enoch Attah Adjei, a defender intercepts with a clearance that comes off the leg of Kwakwa and put the midfielder on goal. He kept his control and dummied a recovering defender but miserably curled his finish wayward.
The unpardonable miss by Kwakwa remembered the fans of how they did the same against Algerian side, M.O. Bejeia at home to draw goalless. And it was also unlucky moment for Kwakwa who scored under one minute for his club in Pretoria against Mamelodi Sundowns in their final eliminator.
Medeama recovered from the early blip give minutes later to score the first goal through an unusual name. Central defender, Daniel Amoah joggled forward to tap home a corner kick from Attah Adjei. The sense of timing and anticipation from the failed to qualify Black Satellite players was spot on.
The Mauves and Yellows had the opportunity to double the lead in the 8th minute when Attah Adjei was trapped in the box by Juma Abdul and a penalty awarded.
Captain Malik Akowuah picked the ball but poorly wasted the spot kick as goalkeeper Munish saved the ball right where he stood. Munish went on to save a header from Abass Mohammed from the resultant corner kick.
The home side increased the tally in the 22nd minute with a wonderfully worked goal that Black Stars coach, Avram Grant would relish to see from his team in the World Cup qualifiers.
Akwasi Donsu used his nimble foot ability to outwit his opponent, looked upfront and chipped the ball for Abass. The pass was brilliant and perfect enough to beat the intended header from Haroub as Abass chested the ball,raised his head and finished confidently. The finishing was as fantastic as the pass and the jubilation was modest as well.
Black Stars coach Avram Grant watches the CAF Confederation Cup gameYet the second goal was short lived in micro seconds as Medeama conceded a penalty a minute later. Chirwa impeded by Kwakwa after moving a step from Paul Aidoo to attempt a finish with the ball at his feet.
Happygod Msuva converted the penalty for the Tanzanian club. The visitors had shown glimpses of a good team with the passing football and a type of game that resembles their Dutch coach, Hans Van Der Pluijm.
Abass Mohammed scored his brace in the 36th minute to restore the two goal lead when he headed in the rebound after Munish had parried a headed ball from Bernard Ofori. That was also a persistent moment of keeping the pressure by Medeama on their opponent to get the goal.
Haroub had a free header chance to narrow the score for Yanga but he missed narrowly from close range. Goalkeeper Daniel Agyei screamed his displeasure at his defense. Coach Prince Owusu had stick to the former U-20 World Cup winner in post over his captain Muntari Tagoe. A competition introduced by the team during the transfer window.
Yanga worked hard, they were very organized in play, confident on the ball and displayed good passing but the went into the break 3-1 down.
The second half was for striker Bernard Ofori to get his name on the scoresheet like he did in Der es Salaam. He headed wide from six yards a cross from Bismark Oppong. He produced another off target header from twelve yards after Oppong again had fetched him the ball with a tailor measure cross.
Young African however earned applause from the home fans for their display. The staring defeat did not stopped them to show that at least they were domestic league champions in Tanzania.
Msuva struck the post in the dying embers of the game from well worked corner kick. Kwame Boahene, the wing wizard for Medeama was kept on the bench as well and the cheers that greeted his introduction was awesome.
The vibe of ecstasy from the fans was how they celebrated the win when the Moroccan referee brought the game to an end.
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