Medeama ‘Terminate’ First Enemy
…Progress To Next Round Of CAF Champions League
Ghana Premier League champions, Medeama Sporting Club, have sealed a place in the next round of qualifiers for the 2023/24 CAF Champions League, following the club’s win over Remo Stars of Nigeria on Sunday, August 27, 2023.
The Tarkwa-based club, despite losing 1-0 in their second leg tie played in Nigeria, showed great composure to advance to the next round of the competition, by winning in a thrilling penalty shootout against their opponent.
Medeama are making their first appearance in the CAF Champions League, having previously competed in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2013 and 2015.
The Sunday’s match kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish, Ghana soccernet reports.
But ultimately, Medeama emerged victorious with a 3-2 shootout scoreline, after a 1-1 aggregate draw in regular time at the Remo Stars Stadium.
Medeama entered the game with a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg, played at the Cape Coast Stadium, and the tension was palpable as they aimed to protect their advantage.
However, the Nigerian side, Remo Stars, leveled the aggregate score with an unfortunate own goal from Medeama in the 73rd minute.
With the tie hanging in the balance, both teams fought fiercely to find a winning goal before the final whistle, but the scoreline remained, setting the stage for a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
The Yellow and Mauves maintained their composure under immense pressure as the game progressed to penalties.
In the end, Medeama held their nerve, converting three of their five penalties to Remo Stars’ two, securing a hard-fought 3-2 shootout victory.
With this victory, Medeama have set up an enticing showdown in the next round of the competition against Guinean giants, Horoya.
The upcoming clash promises to be an exciting encounter, as Medeama aim to build on their recent success and continue their journey in the CAF Champions League.
Make Ghana Proud
Prior to the CAF Champions League campaign, President Nana Akufo-Addo encouraged the team to make Ghana proud during the tournament, by donating GH₵1million to demonstrate his support for the club.
This was after the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency, George Mireku Duker, on Wednesday, August 2, led the playing body, technical staff and management to the Jubilee House, the seat of government in Accra, to present the league trophy and also engage in courtesy meetings.
In his address, he urged the team to excel, as Ghana’s representative in the CAF Champions League and make themselves and the country proud. He stated that, government will do its best to assist the team.
“This is great, you’ve done a great job. I want to congratulate you very much. We will do our best to assist you to make sure you have a successful tournament. Thank you very much that you’ve come to present the cup to me and I want to congratulate the playing body, well done,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo charged them to perform creditably, so they justify their call into the senior national team, the Black Stars.
He assured the team of his unflinching support throughout the African Football Champions League, and tasked the sector ministry to support the team’s participation.
Source: Anchorghana.com
