Medeama Sporting Club set the tone for their 2022/2023 Betpawa Ghana Premier title challenge with an impressive 1-0 victory over Legon Cities away at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra.
The Mauve and Yellows were on a vengeance journey to avert their 3-1 thrashing at the same venue last season against the same opponents with new additions to both the technical team and the playing body; with the likes of Goalkeeper Kofi Mensah, right-back Kwadwo Amoako, Derrick Fordjour among others including the switch of our last year’s nemesis Hans Kwofie crossing carpet from Legon Cities to Medeama SC, among others.
The Technical team was masterminded by experienced brain Coach David, though he did not sit on the bench today, and his assistants Umar Rabbi and Welbeck, who frontier today’s mission to plot Legon Cities’ scalp.
Kofi Mensah, Kwadwo Amoako, Benjamin Abaidoo, Kofi Asmah, and Baba Musah Abdulai completed the back line in the absence of Vincent Atinga who is expected to assume full fitness soon, with Prosper Boakye Owusu, Jean Vital, Captain Kwasi Donsu filling the midfield, Darlington Gyanfosu formed the attacking trio with new boys Derrick Fordjour and Joshua Agyemang.
The first half of the game looked fairly balanced with Legon Cities asking most of the deadly questions at goal in that half, bringing the best in Goalkeeper Kofi Amoako out with pulling of impressive saves to keep Medeama in the game. Jean Vital, Kofi Mensah, and Kwadwo Amoako warned themselves quick in the half with Prosper Owusu Boakye being off his best after sustaining a knock. Referee Charles Bulu ended the half at no goal recorded.
Medeama SC handlers visited their cards right before the second half kicked off with Prosper Boakye and Derrick Fordjour being replaced by Manuel Mantey and Ansu Kofi Patrick respectively to turn the game to the advantage for the Mauve and Yellows with enough chances at goal than the first half.
Kofi Asmah converted from Kwadwo Amoako’s corner to hand Medeama the match opener and the first goal of the season for the Tarkwa side of the Ghana Premier League 68 minutes into the game.
Legon Cities had their afternoon move from bad to worse with tow of their players Otou and Ampadu being given the marching orders by Referee Charles Bulu leaving the game at 11 Medeama players to 9 Legon Cities players.
Legon Cities reorganize to play above themselves without the numerical disadvantage not showing in the game, with decent chances in their favour but non could go pass Kofi Mensah.
Kwadwo Amoako was handed a yellow card for instigating the match officials to issue cards to his opponents.
Kwasi Donsu, Darlington Gyanfosu were also substitute to hand Ernest and Medeama SC returnee Hans Kwofie their season debuts.
The game ended with Kofi Asmah’s goal being the only one recorded in the 90 minutes to hand Medeama the three maximum points at stake, as they travel to Tarkwa to play host to Real Tamale United at the Akoon Community Park in the week two of the GPL.
Goalkeeper, Kofi Mensah was voted the Nasco Man of the match.