Sharkia captain Hossam Ghobran scored twice in the final
Egypt’s Sharkia have claimed the Africa Cup for Club Champions men’s title after thrashing Ghana’s Exchequers 4-2 in the final held at Sikh Union on Sunday. Sharkia, who have won the top honour without tasting defeat advanced to the final after topping group B of the tournament while Exchequers, were the best team in pool A.
This was the second time Exchequers lost a final at Sikh Union as the club, fell 2-1 to Kenya Police in the Gold Cup held in May last year. The hotly-contested encounter saw the Ghanaians take an early lead in the 12th minute through Botsio Johny whose conversion from a short corner sailed past the line.
Sharkia regrouped quickly and would draw level three minutes as skipper Ghobran Hossam finished off a good team move. Just before the Sharkia bench could sit down after celebrating the equalizer, Abdelmoneim Hamada gave them the second goal from a short corner.
Sharkia made it clear that they were in for business as the team plundered home the third goal in the 24th minute through Hossam who was on top of his game.
Exchequers pulled one back through Johny but their hopes of completing a comeback were extinguished in the 47th minute as Khaul Ayman drove home the fourth goal for Sharkia.
Hossam said the two-year long hiatus from the continental championships helped them prepare adequately for this year’ edition. The club has now won the continental gong for a record 26 times.
“We took a break from the continentals so as to prepare. I am glad that we have won it. It was quite some task considering that we came up against the top team in Ghana. We also played six matches in seven matches,” he said.
Sharkia goalkeeper Hemid Mohammed was named the best in the tournament in the men’s category with Uko Martha of Delta Queens taking home the gong in the women’s side.
GRA’s Vivian Narkour bagged the golden stick curtesy of the six goals she managed. The duo of Johny and Sunday Orinya of Nigeria’s Police Machine were declared the best scorers in the men’s catgeory. The two finished with eight goals apiece.
Source: mozzartsport.co.ke | February 18, 2023
