Source: isports360.com | December 17, 2018
The action continued on match day 2 in the male category. Eastern Company continued their fine form in this year’s tourney with a victory over Exchequers. GRA men came from a goal down to beat Niger Flickers in a six-goal thriller with El-Sharkia also humbling Niger Flickers to sum up a bad tournament the host clubs are having.
Kada Stars 1 – 7 El-Sharkia
The first game for match day two in the men’s category produced eight goals. Defending champions El-Sharkia proved a hard nut for Kada Stars who needed a point so badly in the game.
Hussain Ahmed struck twice inside the first half to give El-Sharkia a commanding 2-0 lead. Hussain broke the deadlock on the 9th minute and doubled his tally three minutes to the first half break. The greatest chance fell to Kelvin Linus who failed to find the net after beating three Sharkia defenders; one-on-one with Mohamed Fathala and the young attacker failed to get his team back into the game.
Flickers were punished for their missed chances in the 36th minute. Ibrahim Samir made it 3-0 before grabbing his brace three minutes later. The game was beyond reach for Flickers at this moment. With no mercy on their opponents, Edres Mohamed and Ahmed Gamal scored from a penalty corner and a penalty stroke respectively.
Samaila James managed to get the consolation for Flickers in the 59th minute after Gobran had made it 7-0 five minutes earlier.
“We were very weary of our opponents since they were playing at home. We knew how strong Nigerians were and prepared so well for them. We came solely for the trophy and thats exactly what we are doing “, Gobran Hosam speaking to Isports360 right after the game.
Eastern Company 2-1 Exchequers
The second match was a different story as compared to the first as two teams who were fighting for top spot clashed. With both teams winners on match day one, a win for either sides was very necessary.
Exchequers started the game the better side but failed to make the numerous chance count. A 25th minute penalty corner was awarded to Eastern Company and Aboutaleb Mahmoud made no mistake slotting the ball home. Sixty seconds later and the lead was doubled. Yassin Mohamed with a cheeky deflection beating Tyche Duisberg.
Exchequers responded and reduced the deficit in the third quarter courtesy an Emmanuel Ankomah penalty corner but time was not on their side as Eastern Company carried carried the day.
GRA 4 – 2 Niger Flickers
The day’s last game and certainly the best is always reserved last. Niger Flickers surprisingly went ahead in the 18th minute courtesy a penalty stroke. Ernest Opoku looked to have impeded Danadi who was in the process of making a shot that was heading to the goal post and the umpire pointed to the spot. Kolo took the responsibility and gave Niger Flickers the lead.
The advantage was almost doubled on several occasions but the attacking force of Niger Flickers not getting their efforts on target. Kwesi Anim-Assah restored parity four minutes inside the 3rd quarter before Ernest Opoku put GRA infront for the first time with a well converted penalty corner.
Two more goals inside the last 16 minutes; Anim-Assah with a brilliant effort and Ernest Opoku also grabbing his a brace from the spot two minutes later, and GRA had taken a commanding lead. Dankumi pulled one back in the 53rd minute but that was all time could allow as GRA cruised to a 4-2 victory.
Niger Flickers left the turf shoulders high knowing they had lost to a better side; undoubtedly one of the best in the competition so far.
The 2018 ACCC continues tomorrow with an all Ghanaian affair as GRA men lock horns with Exchequers in the first match. Eastern Company will then play Kada Stars before defending champions El-Sharkia play Niger Flickers in the last game of the day.
