Coach Umar Rabi’s side, Medeama SC on Saturday recorded their first victory on the road of the second round of the Ghana Premier League after defeating Great Olympics by 2:1 at the Accra Sports Stadium to continue their unbeaten run in their last five matches.
Defender Vincent Atinga, who was returning from suspension converted from the spot following an infringement on skipper Kwesi Donsu by Olympics shot stopper on the 35th minute to cancel Olympics’s lead through Maxwell Abey Quaye in the 19th minute mark.
Playmaker, Godfred Kwadwo Asamoah put the visitors, who had found it difficult winning away from home since they last did it over AshGold in the match-day 11 of the GPL on 3rd January, 2022 at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi, the lead with what many described as goal of the season contender bullet less than two minutes after his introduction onto the field, which eventually decided the club’s week 30 clash.
Medeama lined up in a 3-5-2 formation of Baba Musah, Kofi Asmah and Vincent Atinga in defense, Michael Sefah, Prosper Boakye Owusu, Kwesi Donsu, Benjamin Abaidoo and Darlington Gyanfosu forming the five man midfield, with Ebenezer Ackahbi who came from the bench against Berekum Chelsea given a starter role in attack with Ansu Kofi Patrick.
Olympics took the game to Medeama from the blast of the whistle forcing a wrong pass from Vincent Atinga to their opponent, who capitalized on it to record an early goal through strike Maxwell Quaye which John Mossie who was once again entrusted with manning Medeama’s post had no answers to.
Medeama SC recovered from the shock to regroup especially in defense to pull breaks on all threats imposed by Olympics to avoid conceding a second goal; while also occasionally knocking at the doors of the Dade Boys until a breakthrough from Darlington Gyanfosu’s press on Olympics left back to win the ball and his resultant cross fetching the “We never give up” boys a penalty following a foul on Kwesi Donsu in the 18yard box of Olympics by their goalie.
Defender Vincent Atinga made no mistakes by sending substitute Olympic goalkeeper, Ismaila the wrong way in the 35th minutes to bring the scores to 1:1.
Olympics kept pressing and pushing men forward to restore their lead but Medeama SC remained compact in their half until the first half was brought to an end.
Frustrated Olympics resume the second half with same energy as the first half but with reckless challenges which saw three of their players, Samuel Ashie-Quaye, James Akaminko and Kofi Acheampong all going into the referee’s book for bookable offenses in the early stages of the second half.
Medeama SC got their share of the booking when Darlington Gyanfosu also saw a yellow cards flashed at him in the 67th minute before being substitute alongside Michael Sefah in the 70th minute. Godfred Kwadwo Asamoah and Agyei Boakye took their places respectively.
Kwadwo Asamoah, a minute after his entry onto the field smashed a bullet yards away from the Olympics box which goalkeeper Ismaila could not account for in the 71st minute to gift the visitors their first lead of the afternoon and the eventual three points snatcher at the nation’s capital.
Justics Ato Mensah came on for Ackahbi in the 76th minute to hold up play and possibly find the 3rd goal for Medeama as Olympics kept pressing and chasing after the equalizer but no more goal could be counted after 90 minutes and 5 additional time before the final whistle.
The win over Olympics temporarily positions coach Umar Rabi’s men, who have accumulated 50 points 2nd on the league log 6 points behind leaders, Asante Kotoko who have two games to spare, as well as Bechem United and Hearts of Oak whose results tomorrow can affect Medeama slot on the table.
Medeama who have managed five matches continuously without defeat will welcome the league leaders Asante Kotoko to the Akoon Community Park in their next GPL fixture at Tarkwa.