Medeama SC shared spoil away at the CAM Park in the much talked about Western Derby after striker, Sule Musah canceled Karela United’s first-half lead in the 47th minute for the Tarkwa side.
Coach Umar Rabi’s side lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with Vincent Atinga, Baba Musah and Kofi Asmah forming the defensive trio, Michael Sefah, Rashid Nortey, and captain Kwesi Donsu played in the heart of midfield; whilst Benjamin Abaidoo and Darlington Gyanfosu took their spot on the flanks and the attack led by Zakaria Mumuni and Sule Musa.
Karela United kicked off to start the game but Medeama flew in on a high note, mounting pressure on the home side, in the early stages of the game but were unlucky not to find the back of the net in the first 15 minutes; with key moments being Zakaria Mumuni hitting the crossbar with a header from Rashid Nortey’s free-kick.
Medeama were again unlucky when midfielder Rashid Nortey’s drive was further denied from entering the net by Karela goalkeeper, Felix Kyei.
Karela United came in strongly to pile up pressure on Medeama after 20 minutes into the game, with their efforts rewarded in the 35th minute through Patrick Mensah, who told advantage of Medeama’s shambolic defending to gift the home side the lead.
Medeama recovered from the shock to give Karela a dose of their pills but all efforts yielded no results, as referee Daniel Laryea whistled to end the first half of the derby.
The 2nd half after recess was started by Medeama, who threw the first blow to spark up the intensity of the rivalry clash. Striker Sule Musah took advantage of a deflection of the opponent player which came from Rashid Nortey’s cross in a build-up on the left of Medeama’s attack to draw level.
Both sides kept pressing each other to find the needed match-saving goal but the shot-stoppers for both sides remained resolute to avoid conceding any more goals.
Karela United made a double substitution in the 58th minute to increase their fortunes but the results could not be affected.
Midfielders Adjei Boakye and former Karela player, Jean Vital came on for Rashid Nortey and Michael Sefah respectively in the 65th minute to change the change for Medeama but had no goal to show.
Coach Umar again brought on Justice Ato Mensah for the goalscorer, Sule Musa who had a knock, with attacker Ebenezer Ackahbi coming on for Zakaria Mumuni who was silent in the second half.
The 4th referee signaled for 3 extra minutes to make up for delays but the game traveled into 95th minutes due to delays within the injury time, before referee Daniel Laryea brought the entire Western showdown to a close.
The draw at Aiyinase gives Medeama the bragging rights over their rivals for picking 4 out of the 6 possible points at stake in both legs.
Medeama maintains their 5th position on the league log with 33 points to their credit, a point behind 4th ranked Bechem United and will welcome Kumasi-based King Faisal at the Akoon Community Park in fortnite time.