Mahala Football Academy staged a wonderful comeback at the Wesco Park to record an emphatic away win over Afigya Barcelona on Sunday, in the ongoing 2022-23 Ashanti Regional Division Two League.
Despite, the visitors exhibiting high level of football in the first half could not place hands on a goal after failing to make count their attacking prowess.
With full time, scores standing 2-1 it was joy all over the technical team of Mahala Football Academy as they rallied from behind to beat Afigya Barcelona in a much better second half performance. The comeback was made possible by the technical abilities of bench following two brilliant second half substitutions.
Asenso Kelvin inspired Mahala Football Academy to a great win on the road, getting involved in both goals. The attacker scored to level before setting up the winner for Justice Asamoah with 15 minutes to full time.
Details
Midfield sensation Emmanuel Attah came close getting the opener inside the box of Afigya Barcelona, but what was expected to be a tap in went missing the goalpost by just an inch. It was a brilliant individual skills from winger Justice Asamoah who took on his marker on the right and opened up the center-backs only to have his excellent setup for Attah go wide in the 22nd minute.
Coach Nkrumah’s tactics to have his attack start from his backline, continued to expose the host laterals having noticed the midfield dominance of Afigya Barcelona.
Asenso Kelvin, on the flanks kept his cool to cause havoc to the host with his inspiring dribbling skills and cut in crosses. He could have written his name on the scoresheet before break but all his effort kept dashing off the target.
Afriyie Solomon was splendid giving a sterling performance, commanding the midfield with ease and confidence. Afriyie had a glorious opportunity on the edge of the opponent after dribbling past two players from our left side of attack, it should have being the goal separating the sides in the 36th minute mark, however, the crossbar wouldn’t let it in.
Twice we, got denied by the woodwork despite our dominance in the first half. It was a good half but with scores at goalless. All credit to the experience of Osman Salifu who was at the heart of our defence.
After recess, there was a poor start at office as Mahala Football Academy got punished from a lose ball right from the center right of the pitch leading to a pull out, which located Afigya Barcelona teammate who finished it with a header.
The only dangerous attack from the homers, meant they go infront with a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.
The early goal was a wake up call to the visitors technical bench who had to deploy new tactics as an antidote to Afigya Barcelona by introducing inform striker Kofi Agyemang and Isaac Asumadu.
Two minutes to the hour mark, an intelligent play from youngster Emmanuel Attah after spotting below the bar was punched away by the tall Goalkeeper of Afigya Barcelona.
But, Mahala Football Academy who were determined for victory wouldn’t stop asking questions for a response.
An enigmatic moment of build-up from the back once again, was orchestrated by center-back Afriyie Eric eventually landed on the feet of Justice Asamoah, and with a fantastic run to the corner side gave in a long pass to the box locating Asenso Kelvin at the far side of the goalpost. With precision and comfort, he dragged game to a level with a header straight to nearest goalpost.
With the equalizer arriving in the 74th minute definitely there was enough time to stage the win.
Asenso Kelvin grabbed a crucial assist to add to his outstanding performance in the 81st minute mark with an inside swing which saw Justice Asamoah connect beautifully to put us infront for the first time in the game. But guess what? That was a comeback time.
Asamoah’s winner marked his 5th goal of the ongoing campaign.
The 2-1 triumph over Afigya Barcelona means Mahala Football Academy have recorded two straight wins since the commencement of second round, beating Sporting Time 4-0 in week 10 fixture.
Man-Of-The-Match
Right-wing back Addai Robben picked the Man-Of-The-Match award following his sterling performance on the day.
Having being deployed a wing-back in boss Emmanuel Nkrumah’s back three system, the hard-tackler propelled the team to yet another win.
