Justice Asamoah scored a first half goal to see us through with a win over Jachie United on Sunday afternoon at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The attacker’s lone goal was enough to ensure Mahala Football Academy beat Jachie United 1-0 on match day 2 of the 2023 Ashanti Region Division Two Promotional tournament.
Coach Emmanuel Nkrumah’s side conjured for their first win of the promotional tournament with an impressive three points at least before facing KSI Academicals on Wednesday.
The Academy lads had an excellent start to the game on a sunny day and needed to capitalize on their chances before the first quarter. Nevertheless, lack of efficiency and precision led the team down.
However, we kept pushing and asking all the questions in a 4-4-2 formation with Kofi Agyemang and Justice Asamoah leading the front line. Exactly in the 14th minute, Sheriff Hakim won us a free-kick just seven yards away from the box but the opportunity was squandered away from the feet of Isaac Asumadu.
His long-range shoot was very feeble, and will be dealt with by Jachie United shot-stopper. It was a poor quick, which got the fans agitated since Isaac could have done better.
Eight minutes later, Kofi Agyemang had the best chance of the first half after going past his marker and dribbling past the goalkeeper, though net was almost empty but the space to the goalpost was 14-yards and would have need the closest player to slot it in. Agyemang went for power instead of laying a pass to Justice Asamoah to make it a cool one.
Glorious opportunity was missed once more!
Due to Kofi Agyemang’s poor finish and lack composure at goal, gaffer Emmanuel Nkrumah replaced him with Kelvin Asenso in the 32nd minute. Two minutes after, Justice Asamoah gave us the opener with a calm finish from a through pass which opened Jachie United defence line.
Mahala Football Academy held unto the 1-0 lead to break and came back well energised.
Kelvin Asenso as skillful as he is, became the tormentor in chief and a big threat to Jachie United who could not stop him on the flanks. Alongside, Justice Asamoah we dominated play in the first 25 minutes of the second department.
The likes of Okyere Ransford and Osei Ameyaw Anthony were introduced into the game to stabilise the midfield which was done with perfection. Goalkeeper Maxwell Gyamfi also came through with some world class saves to deny Jachie United from founding the leveller.
Despite, series of dangerous attacks made by Jachie United, our backline were able to deal with the pressure and defend our one goal advantage to end game as winners.
The narrow 1-0 victory, gives Mahala Football Academy a huge chance to make it past the group phase, having amassed 3 points with only PAC Academy sitting better with 6 points from two matches.
Mahala Football Academy will face KSI Academicals in the last Group game on Wednesday, May 03, 2023 at the famous Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
This is how Coach Emmanuel Nkrumah lined up for the game.
Starting line-up
Maxwell Gyamfi (GK)
Addai Robben
Joseph Boadu
Kingsley Osei kwadwo
Hakim Sherif
Isaac Asumadu
Awudu Mohammed
Emmanuel Attah Frimpong
Kofi Agyemang (C)
Justice Asamoah
Eric Afriyie
Substitutes
Kelvin Asenso
Okyere Ransford
Osei Ameyaw Anthony
