Injury stricken side Medeama SC ended the first round of the season on a poor note following a home defeat to Dawu based Dreams FC at the Akoon Community Park in the early hours of Valentine’s Day courtesy of Simba S’s 31st-minute strike.
The defeat in the game which was postponed from Sunday to Monday following a heavy downpour in Tarkwa yesterday pushes Medeama away from their initial top-four spot to 6th position on the league log with 26 points.
Coach Omar Rabi was forced to introduced 6 new players following a tall list of injuries, suspension, and unavailability of his regular starters. defender Ali Ouatarra and Samuel Frimpong, who are both injured were replaced by Kingsley Adjei and Ranious Alipio respectively.
The absence of midfielders Kwesi Donsu (injured) and King Archerson (suspended) saw the introduction of Michael Sefah, Jean Vital, and former Karela United player Darlington Gyanfosu all thrown into the starting 11; whiles Ahmed Toure who was available after his suspension, saw Ato Mensah given another game chance.
In the 3rd minute goalkeeper, Boris got a knock which became a worry for the Mauves but was given the medical green light to stay on the field of play.
Medeama remained wasteful in the first half of the game, missing about three glorious chances, that could have cemented their victory until Dreams turned the tables to take a lead on the 31st minute, after which the visitors to charge of controlling the affair of the game.
Medeama came close on the 38th minute when Rashid Nortey dribbled past Dreams goalie to put the ball in the glaring net but was unlucky to have the ball cleared on the line by the opponent’s defender.
Dreams maintain their composure to hold onto their lead until referee Wiseman Ghansah whistled to end the first half.
Frustrated Medeama could not hold on to playing their normal game but had to result to long balls which couldn’t break Dreams FC.
Coach Omar threw his first two cards in the 63rd minute when he subbed off Zakaria Mumuni and Rashid Nortey to bring on nimble-footed Kwadeo Asamoah and Theophilus Anobah, who both injected some pace in the game but not enough to put Medeama level.
The 3rd and 4th changes for the Tarkwa side saw speedster Ebenezer Ackahbi and striker Sule Musa come on for former Karela stars, Jean Vital, who seem not fully fit, and Darlington Gyanfosu in the 82nd minute to shift from a 4-3-3 formation to 4-4-2 with two marksmen.
Tried as Medeama did, Dreams remained resolute to keep their lead.
Medeama were forced in the 84th minute to replace left-back Benjamin Abaidoo with Fatawu Sulemana when the former could continue after sustaining injury.
With 7 minutes of time added on which entered into 98th minute, the scoreline remained unchanged as Wiseman Ghansah brought proceedings to an end at the Akoon Park, leaving Medeama battered in their home and would be looking to continue working hard to turn the tables in the second round of the season.
Starting lineup: Mandjui Boris Jnr, Benjamin Abaidoo, Kingsley Adjei, Vincent Atinga (Captain), Ranious Alipio, Rashid Nortey, Jean Vital, Michael Sefah, Zakaria Mumuni, Darlington Gyanfosu, Justice Ato Mensah
Unused subs: Moosie, Yaro, Zutah, Musah
