Source: isports360.com | December 20, 2018
It was derby day on match day four of the ACCC as Niger Flickers beat Kada Stars to revenge the defeat on the final day of the Nigerian Super League at the same venue, Abuja National Stadium.
The victory moved Flickers into 5th position with a place in the 3rd and 4th classification match mathematically possible. The Ghanaian and Egyptian derbies were also honored; GRA holding Ghana League Champions- Exchequers in a 1-1 drawn game while El-Sharkia in a marvelous fashion and style beat Eastern Company 4-3.
The victory puts El-Sharkia in a position to play in the final while Eastern Company will have to beat GRA who have a game in hand against Kada stars, to play in the final.
GRA and Exchequers got us underway on match day 4 in the Ghanaian derby. After being dethroned of the league trophy in Ghana, the revenue controllers with revenge on their minds came solely for a victory.
Exchequers who also have a game in hand with Niger Flickers knew a victory will edge them closer to a place in the final and with these two mindsets, we were in for a derby. Fifteen minutes into the game and Exchequers were in the lead. Samuel Mensah with a brave run going past three defenders and the goalkeeper slotted the ball into the path of Dzotsi Eric; with just the post to beat broke the deadline.
Confidence reinstated and Exchequers took control over the game. With anxiety to equalise and eagerness to double the lead from both teams, the match recorded numerous infringements and cards been flashed.
The third quarter had the tables turned and GRA dictated the pace of the game. The revenue controllers failed to however restore parity courtesy the numerous penalty corners. Exchequers were also guilty in that stance failing to convert theirs. A swift play from defence by GRA found Micheal Baiden in the scoring cirlce of Exchequers and after rounding the goalkeeper, was impeded by Ankomah Emannuel and GRA were awarded a penalty stroke. Ernest Opoku stepped out and slotted the ball home sending Tyche Duisberg the wrong side to level the scores.
Nonetheless, Exchequers thought they had grabbed the winner when a long hit from the sideline found Bempah Daniel in the scoring circle. With just Eugene Acheampong to beat, the former Ghana u21 international misplaced his steps and allowed the GRA defenders to retrieve the ball. Final whistle blown and the spoils were shared.
The second match was next and El-Sharkia locked horns with fellow Egyptian counterparts Eastern Company. The game produced seven goals amidst missed chances and poor penalty corner conversion rate.
Edres Mohamed gave El-Sharkia the lead 10 minutes into the game from a penalty corner and the lead was doubled seven minutes later with a brilliant goal from Ahmed Ahmed Mohamed. It was all El-Sharkia at this point who got their third through Ahmed Gamal.
Eastern Company responded quickly with two goals inside two minutes. Two penalty corners in succession and the deficit was reduced. Aboutaleb getting the first in the 43 minute with Ibrahim Amr scoring the second.
Elnaggar looked to have earned a point for Eastern Company with his goal in the 52nd minute only for Gobran Hosam to grab the winner three minutes from time. El-Sharkia won the game 4-3.
The home crowd came in their numbers as the day was wrapped with the Nigerian derby. Niger Flickers engaged Kada Stars as both teams went in search of their first maximum points.
A misunderstanding in defence and the Flickers were in the lead. Danladi’s Umar going oast the gal keeper to slot home into an empty goal post. Kada Stars failed to gind their momentum and allowed the Flickers to go 2-0 up; a great finish from Aliyu Jauro. If the goal was beautiful then the assist from Oluwa Tosin was of class.
Aliyu Dakumi got the the third for Flickers a minute to half-time breaking the hopes of Kada Stars. Samaila James managed a goal from the pray corner but his effort came in late as time run out for Flickers to carry the day.
MATCH RESULTS FROM DAY THREE
GRA 1-1 Exchequers
El -Sharkia 4-3 Eastern Company
Kada Stars 1-3 Niger Flickers.
