It was a fitting conclusion to the 2015/2016 season in the Ghana premier league as hosts Medeama and Ashgold served an enthralling 3-3 stalemate much to the delight of the fans. Medeama were looking to pick maximum points in the game to consolidate their top four credentials but the visiting team, Ashgold also had other ideas. It has been an indifferent season for the miners and after winning the championship in impressive fashion last season, performances of such were few and far in between this season.
The miners started the game with their noses in front with virtually the first kick of the game after a mishap between Medeama goalie Daniel Agyei and his defense ensured Shafiu Mumuni registered probably the fastest goal in the history of Ghana football with just 15 seconds on the clock much to the chagrin of the home fans.
The yellow and mauves would however be unfazed by their jitters earlier in the game as they set to take the game to the visitors asking more questions of the Miners’ defense than they could answer. The equalizer would inevitably come and in some sumptuous style. Dead ball specialist, Kwesi Donsu showed yet again how lethal he can be from free kicks as he pulled Medeama parity with a thunderous drive up into the top corner and past goalkeeper Fatau Dauda. It was all Medeama from there as the yellow and mauves showed intent of leading for the first time in the game and the second goal duly arrived. It was Donsu again who picked a pass from the right hand of attack and connected beautifully to give Medeama a 2-1 lead and into half time.
The second half began with the Miners’ looking like a rejuvenated side as they began hassling the defense of Medeama and raising the tempo of the game. It was only a matter of when the equalizer would arrive for the visitors and it duly did with Shafiu Mumuni getting a brace of his own when Daniel Agyei failed to deal with a one-time aerial battle and Mumuni was on hand to pounce. 2-2 it was.
The intensity from both sides quite understandably dropped as players began tiring but Medeama were up again this time through substitute Yaro Ibrahim on the 79th minute. Kwame Boahene swang in a teasing cross from the left hand side of the Miners’ defense and Ibrahim pounced to give the hosts the lead again to the delight of the fans.
There was to be more drama later when further momentarily loss of concentration in the Medeama defense ensured Shafiu Mumuni would not be denied his hat trick as he sent a thunderous shot past Daniel Agyei to bring proceedings to an end in what was a final day thriller at the Tarkwa TnA park.
Medeama finished 4th with 46 points after the conclusion of the season whiles Ashgold placed 8thamassing 40 points ensuring they arrested their early season woes just in time to avoid what would have been an ignominious drop to the second tier.
By: Enoch Andoh-Mensah
