Kwadwo Amoako’s last-minute first-half stroke earns the Mauve and Yellows a valuable one point away from home against Karela United in week 9 of the BetPawa Ghana Premier League without dependable defender, Nurudeen, who is in the Black Galaxies camp.
Medeama Sporting Club lined up in a 4-3-3 system of Vincent Atinga, Baba Musah Abdulai, Kwadwo Amoako, and Fatawu Sulemana in defense, with a midfield trio of skipper Kwesi Donsu, Ernest, and Prosper Owusu Boakye. Ansu Kofi Patrick, who was picked ahead of experience Hans Kwofie was flanked in attack by Theophilus Anoba, who was handed a third consecutive start of the season, and hound sensation, Derrick Fordjour in the attack.
Karela United kicked off the poorly attended first leg of the Western derby, with most of the actions taking place in the middle of the pitch with Karela having the better part of possession and occasionally threatening the Mauve and Yellows and inviting fouls in the first 10 minutes of the game.
Medeama however had the best chance to make changes on the scoreboard in the 9th minute following a nice build up but midfielder Ernest could not connect from Ansu Patrick’s pass in Karela’s box.
Karela United recorded the first goal of what looked like a quiet afternoon of football in the 24th minute following a breakaway on the left side of Medeama’s defense which resulted in a corner kick for the Aiyinase side. Medeama failed to deal with the resultant kick, giving Karela the first goal before referee Franklin called for a water break through Enock Agblenyo.
Karela pilled up another kick attack but goalkeeper Boris Junior was equal to the task.
Medeama had chances of their own after the half-hour mark but were not potent enough to draw parity. Coach Umar Rabbi was forced to visit his substitute bench, bringing on ex-Karela winger, Darlington Gyanfosu for injured Theophilus Anoba in the 41st minute.
Right back, Kwadwo Amoako made count a free kick on the left side of Medeama attack following a foul on nimble-footed, Derrick Fordjour in the 45th minute which deflected Karela player to equalize for Mospacka’s boys before the center referee, Franklin called for the end of the first half of the keenly battled derby.
The second half resumed on a low note with Medeama being shouldered above the home side, especially in hold-up plays with pockets of goal threats but too weak to beat Karela’s defense.
Karela United’s Osei Kweku was shown the first yellow card of the afternoon following a dangerous tackle on Darlington Gyanfosu.
The greater part of the second half saw both teams exhibiting a lack of ideas in the final third of attack with Karela being worse causing three personnel changes from the home side.
Midfielder, Prosper Boakye Owusu was shown a yellow card for what was seen as a bookable offense by the officiating officials before the second water break of the day.
Coach Umar brought on experienced Hans Kwofie and Agyei Boakye for striker Ansu and skipper Donsu respectively 35minutes into the second half; as well as Hafiz for fatigued Fordjour to improve the potency of the Medeama attack in a quest to grab a possible match winner.
Kwadwo Amoako almost slotted into the net from a Hafiz fouled free kick but the goalkeeper for Karela, Felix Kyei rose to the occasion to parry the ball over the bar for a corner kick which resulted in nothing and the resultant counter break saw Ernest going into the referee’s book for foul play.
Both sides could not show potency in attack as referee Akumatey brought proceedings to an end with a 1-1 scoreline.
Watch the Match Highlights here:https://youtu.be/Y48HymLUnHg