By Kofi Amoah.
The FA Super Cup is set to take on at the Ohene Djan
Stadium on Sunday, after the cup was successfully launched on Wednesday, 3rd
of Feb 2016. Who will have all the bragging rights, a question every soccer
loving fan will be asking as these two clubs, Medeama and Ashanti Gold, squares
it out to usher us into a brand new season.
Ashanti Gold won the league last season after almost
two decades, throwing the Obuasi Township into an ecstatic frenzy mood. Indeed,
it was a place to be. The Miners amassed a total of 52 points to claim the
league trophy, being one of the least number of points obtain by a club (same
as Hearts of Oak in 2008) in the last ten (10) seasons. It was a nail biting
feeling to the end but they held on strongly to be crowned champions.
The Mauve and Yellow on the other hand enjoyed a
purple patch to the MTN FA Cup Finals, dispatching Accra Hearts of Oak en-route
to the finals and brushed away current winners Asante Kotoko to a masterpiece
of a performance at the Sekondi Stadium. It was the club’s second FA Cup title.
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| Medeama SC celebrating their 2nd MTN FA Cup win last season |
Medeama is appearing for the second time at the 18th
edition of the FA Super Cup as they were thrashed and demolished by Kotoko to
three goals to nil last seasons. Goals from Seidu Bancey, Abeiku Ainooson and Yahaya
Mohammed were enough to revenge the porcupines painful one zero lost earlier
on.
Interestingly enough both clubs have qualified
to represent the nation in the next CAF Cup competitions. Ashgold will be
playing in the Champions League against Algerian side, MO Bejaia, who is
currently third with 30 points in the Algerian Ligue 1 with 19 matches played
so far. Whiles the Mauve and Yellow has drawn bye in the preliminary round and
will face either Al Ittihad of Libya or AS Sonidep of Niger in the 1/16th
stage.
In the maiden edition of the Ghalca organize
tournament, First Trust G6, both clubs had a torrid time. Scoring only a goal
in their two matches played. They had been criticized and lambasted for their
lack luster performances displayed during the competition, with many raising
eye brows as to how ready they are for Africa.
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| Obuasi Ashanti Gold |
Well, it seems both clubs have step up their
preparations with series of friendly games. The Tarkwa-based club white-washed
a division one side, Karela FC by three goals to nil whiles Ashgold also saw
off Achiken FC, a division one side based in Obuasi by the same margin.
In league meetings, Ashanti Gold and Medeama have engaged
each other ten (10) times. Since Kessben sold its premiership rights to Medeama
in the 2010/2011 season, dating back to 17th October 2010.
They have enjoyed some level of superiority over the
current league winners, Ashanti Gold, winning four (4) out of the ten (10)
meetings, drawing four (4) and losing two (2). In their clashes, 15 goals have
been produced, with the Mauve and Yellow whacking in ten (10) and allowing in half
of the amount scored.
The last time the two met was a 27th Week
Fixture, at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium last season. An early goal from Kwesi
Donsu in the 7th minute wasn’t enough as Ivory Coast International
Didier Kore, rose higher and cancelled their lead on the 32nd mark. Placing
the icing on the cake, he scored the winner through a spot kick with 10 minutes
to end proceedings.
A quick run through their last five visits to the
Ohene Djan Stadium where they will be locking horns come Sunday, the 7th
of Feb 2016. Ashanti Gold has won only one of their five (5) matches, lost three (3)
and drawn one (1). They have scored seven (7) and conceded (9). On the other
hand, Medeama SC have won two (2), lost two (2) and drawn one (1), scoring
eight (8) goals and conceding seven (7) in the process.
The last two matches played by both clubs on the 7th
of February have ended in one win and a loss. Last season, Medeama won their
home game against Berekum Chelsea by a lone goal and lost in 2012 in an away
game to New Edubiase by the same margin. Ashgold likewise lost by a goal to nil
against Liberty Professional at the Dansoman Carl Reindorf Park last season. And
in 2010, they defeated New Edubiase by two goals to one in an away game.
Clearly, the formerly known Kessben side is slightly
ahead of the ‘Aboakesse’ lads. Their coach,
Tom Strand has fired warning shots, declaring that his team is far ahead of the
Miners and is super favourite to topple them for the cup.
There are is everything to play for with pride at
stake most especially. Both clubs have made a couple of signings during the
transfer window.
Godfred Rockson, a defender, crossed carpet from the Mauve and
Yellow club to the gold mining town to wear the yellow and black jersey for
Ashanti Gold on a two-year deal. He will be meeting his former employers
come Sunday. They again secured the services of Hassacas marksman, Fredrick
Quayson for two seasons. Fuseini and Alhassan Nuhu (New Edubiase) and Isaac
Amoah (Amidaus Professionals) were other additions to the club. Kennedy Apiah
has also left the club to join Accra Hearts of Oak whiles Yakubu Mohammed (Raja
Cassablanca, Morocco), Lawrence Lartey (Ajax Cape Town, South Africa) and
Bernard Morission (AS Vita Club, Congo) have all departed.
Medeama on other side has beefed up their squad
with Bernard Ofori (N. Edubiase), James Akaminko (WA All Stars), and Michael
Sai (Berekum Chelsea). Adding up to the Kwesi Donsu’s and Benjamin Bature’s
Losing once again, in two FA Super Cup Finals, will
be something Medeama would want to pull all the stops to prevent it happening
once again. Is going to be a cagey encounter especially in the opening minutes
of the game but an end-to-end action await, as the tie wears out. Whoever takes
his chances is sure of carrying the day.
Follow the writer on Twitter @milikykophy and on Facebook at Miliky-Amoah Kophy.
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