Posted by Gameweek 5 brought us yet another pack of exciting fixtures, with lots of late drama. 16 goals were scored in this gameweek, 8 of the 16 goals came after the 75th minute.
We take a look at how things unfolded in the 9 games:
ASHANTI GOLD 0-1 BEREKUM CHELSEA
Ashanti Gold on Saturday welcomed Berekum Chelsea to the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium for the first game of the gameweek, it was an encounter between the 2nd and 3rd placed side, both teams came into the game unbeaten and yet to concede a goal. Ashanti Gold named a starting 11 without Club captain Shafiu Mumuni who reportedly is on the verge of joining Algerian side ES Setif. Benjamin Eshun came in to replace him. The home side came close to breaking the deadlock on numerous occasions in the first half, Amos Addai and Emmanuel Owusu came the closest. Berekum Chelsea were quiet for most of the game but came into action when Kofi Owusu pounced on a blunder from goalkeeper Frank Boateng to make it 1-0 to the away side. The home side pushed forward to grab the equalizer, but their efforts came to no avail. Skipper Latif Anabila was sent off in the dying embers of the game after picking a second yellow. The defeat was Ashanti Gold’s first this season, whiles the victory was Berekum Chelsea’s 3rd successive away victory this season, all victories have come against the “big boys”. Benjamin Eshun was named most valuable player of the game.
ADUANA STARS 2-0 LEGON CITIES
Aduana Stars continued their unbeaten run at the Nana Agyemang Badu Stadium. The home side ended their winless run against Legon Cities at the ground. In form striker Yahaya Mohammed broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time, the goal was the 6th goal he has scored this season at the Agyemang Badu Park and in the league. Aduana doubled their lead in the 84th minute through Noah Nartey. The game ended 2-0 in favor of the home side. Aduana’s unbeaten run in the league at the ground now stretches to 35 games (including 2017/2018 season). Legon Cities are yet to win a game in 5 attempts, they sit 16th on the league table. Aduana’s Elvis Opoku was adjudged man of the match.
ASANTE KOTOKO 2-0 EBUSUA DWARFS
Kumasi Asante Kotoko played their first game of the 5 home games ban when they welcomed struggling Ebusua Dwarfs. Asante Kotoko after early misses had the chance to open the scoring from the spot in the 15th minute, Christopher Netty was impeded inside the 18 yard box, Sogne Yacouba stepped up, but his tame effort was saved by goalkeeper Razak Issah. The home side struggled to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes, with both goalkeepers being called to action on a number of times. The home side continued to struggle to break the deadlock in the second half, youngster Mathew Cudjoe came in for Martin Antwi in the 78th minute. It took the youngster just 4 minutes to announce his presence on the field, he fed on a header from Justice Blay, made a yard for himself and hit the ball into the right bottom corner. 1-0 to Asante Kotoko. Another substitute Richard Arthur scored to make it 2-0 to Kotoko, he reacted the quickest to a rebound and slammed the ball into the net. Asante Kotoko won the day 2-0. Justice Blay was adjudged Nasco man of the match.
DREAMS FC 1-0 MEDEAMA
Dreams FC were back to winning ways and in the process ended Medeama’s unbeaten run. The home side came into the game having failed to win any of their last 2 games, whiles Medeama came into this one at the back of 3 victories and a draw, with 2 of the 3 victories coming against Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. Dreams opened the scoring in the 15th minute, goalkeeper Eric Ofori who was under immense pressure misplaced a pass, Maxwell Arthur pounced on the misplaced pass and laid the ball to Ibrahim Issah who buried the ball home. Medeama from then created myriad of chances to get back into the game, but it wasn’t meant to be today. Prince Owusu Agyemang struck the post in the first half. Goalkeeper Peter Sarkodie also came to his team’s rescue a number of times in the second half. He was adjudged Nasco man of the match for his astounding performance.
ELMINA SHARKS 1-1 GREAT OLYMPICS
Elmina Sharks after an impressive win in Accra against Inter Allies wanted to build on it, it wasn’t any different for Olympics who were coming into the game at the back of an impressive 2-0 victory against Karela. Elimina Sharks came close to breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute, skipper Obeng Crentsil’s effort struck the post. Elmina Sharks took the lead in the 27th minute, Benjamin Boateng opened the scoring from a freekick just in front of the Great Olympics 18 yard box with a weak shot. Sulley Ibrahim made it 1-1 in the 81st minute with a powerful shot outside the 18 yard box, the goalkeeper had no answer to it. The game ended 1-1, with Olympics picking their first point away from home and Elmina Sharks failing to win at home in 3 attempts. Sulley Ibrahim was named man of the match.
INTER ALLIES 1-1 WAFA
Inter Allies welcomed WAFA to the Accra Sports Stadium as they hope to bounce back from two defeats. Inter Allies started the game brightly, but were stopped a couple of times by goalkeeper Ferdinand Sabi Acquah from opening the scoring. WAFA in the 31st minute took the lead after Richard Acquaah put the ball in his own net. Both teams from then had the chance to either level matters or put the game to bed, but none could utilize their chances. Striker Victorien Adebayor rose to the occasion once again for Inter Allies in the 86th minute. He converted with a powerful strike to make it 1-1 and steal a point for his team. Goalkeeper Ferdinand Sabi Acquah was adjudged man of the match, making it the second time he has won the award this season.
KARELA 1-1 KING FAISAL
King Faisal were winless in 4 league games and were hoping they can record their first victory when they traveled to Tarkwa to face Karela who were also coming into the game at the back of a defeat. Karela opened the scoring in the 31st minute through Kwame Boateng. Darlington Gyan Fosu and Diawisie Taylor close to making it 2, but were denied by goalkeeper Yusif Moro. Mustapha Mohammed in the 77th minute restored parity for King Faisal. The game ended 1-1. King Faisal left Tarkwa with their first away point of the season.
LIBERTY PROFESSIONALS 1-2 HEARTS OF OAK
Accra Hearts of Oak traveled to Dansoman to face Accra rivals Liberty Professionals. Michael Sefah broke their deadlock through a header just 33 seconds into the game. The goal becomes the fastest in league so far. Ganiwu Shaibu was called into action a couple of times, but he was always equal to the task to deny the Phobians . Hearts of Oak in the 75th minute brought in a former Liberty player for another former Liberty player, Bernard Arthur came on for Fred Ansah. The substitute didn’t take long to break the hearts of his former employees, he leveled the score for the Phobians in the 86th minute. The Phobians added another just 2 minutes later, Kofi Kordzi scored his second goal of the season and the second for his side on the day. The two late goals meant that Hearts of Oak left Dansoman with 3 valuable points. Emmanuel Netty was named man of the match. The Phobians will welcome Asante Kotoko to the Accra Sports Stadium next weekend.
BECHEM UNITED 1-0 ELEVEN WONDERS
Bechem United welcomed Eleven Wonders to the Nana Gyeabour Park for the last fixture of gameweek 5. The away side had the chance to open the scoring early in the game from the spot, but Kwadwo Asamoah couldn’t hit the back of the net as he missed the Penalty. Bechem United took the lead in the 41st minute, Prince Adu Kwabena connected with a pass from Charles Mensah. The goal was Adu Kwabena’s 3rd goal in less than a week and his 5th for the season. The home side went into the break a goal up. Eleven Wonders had the chance to draw level in the second half, but Salisu Ibrahim’s effort hit the woodwork. The game ended 1-0 in favor of Bechem United. Bechem United are now 6th on the table with 10 points and 3 points behind leaders Berekum Chelsea. They travel to Accra on Friday to face Legon Cities, whiles Techiman City will welcome Karela to Techiman on Saturday.