It was all but glamorous start to the 2022-23 Ashanti Regional Division Two League having gained promotion to the country’s third-tier league from fourth-tier after spending a season.
We take a very good look at how, Mahala Football Academy performed in their maiden edition after first round of matches and way forward, going into the second round. The journey since December haven’t being easy, as the most important aspect of the game fails to grow thus officiating.
Officiating has been the worry in every division of the game in the West African Country but steps to curtail it, is not seen yet authorities claim “working on it”.
Each and every week, atleast two referees end up picking the Man-Of-The-Match award from players due to how the game turns to move and how expected the outcome will bare to many.
Nevertheless, Mahala Football Academy with a delightful football in our opening fixture against Centurio Life recorded our first victory of the division but controversial decisions and motives had many of our games predicted before kickoff.
It was worrying that, Mahala Football Academy after week 3 visited the darkest part of the campaign going three games with just a win – recording Two defeats and a win.
The teams, poor run extended to week 7 and week 8 fixtures after a 3-3 draw with Afigya Barcelona and 1-1 draw with Sporting Time.
Our first round ended with a draw at home to Sporting Time, with winger Justice Asamoah rescuing a point with 67th minute equalizer.
STATISTICAL REVIEW
Mahala Football Academy made their prowess count infront of goal, scoring in 7 out of 8 games of the campaign. In 8 league matches, the Academy lads netted 12 goals and conceded 10 with two cleansheets.
Skipper Prince Osei registered our first-ever goal of the division against Centurio when we secured a 2-0 triumph before Emmanuel Attah Frimpong bagged the second goal of the encounter.
RESULTS
Mahala Football Academy 2-0 Centurio Life
Sasaamo Panin 2-1 Mahala Football Academy
River Plate FC 1-1 Mahala Football Academy
Mahala Football Academy 1-1 PAC Academy
Mahala Football Academy 2-1 Longford FC
S.K Fresh FC 1-0 Mahala Football Academy
Mahala Football Academy 3-3 Afigya Barcelona
Mahala Football Academy 1-1 Sporting Time
GOALSCORERS CHART
Isaac Asumadu (3 goals)
Justice Asamoah (2 goals)
Kofi Agyemang (2 goals)
Prince Osei (1 goal)
Emmanuel Attah Frimpong (1 goal)
Okyere Ransford (1 goal)
Antwi Elijah (1 goal)
Awudu Mohammed (1 goal)
ASSIST CHART
Kofi Agyemang (3 assists)
Awudu Mohammed (1 assist)
Isaac Asumadu (1 assist)
Akwasi George Opoku (1 assist)
Man-Of-The-Match awards
Isaac Asumadu – Two
Emmanuel Attah – Two
Asamoah Justice – One
The second round of the Division will resume weeks later, however, the technical team will be looking to strengthen the goalkeeping department and the striking force in other to place a better position in Zone 4 at the end of season.
Currently, Mahala Football Academy sit 3rd on the log with 13 points.
