Bechem United became first time winners of the Ghana FA Cup after beating Okwahu United 2-1 in the finals of the competition sponsored by telecommunication giants MTN Sunday.
All goals came through the second half after a pulsating opening exchanges in the first 45 minutes of the encounter at the Cape Coast Stadium.
Both sides struck the post in the first half – Akoto Danso saw his strike from a beautiful build-up play only denied hitting the back of the net in the 10th minute while on the other hand, Bechem, with a slight control of the game hit the post from a free-kick by centre-back Alfred Nelson 22 minutes later.
But for wrong positioning, Okwahu United could have scored the opener when the experienced Prince Bobbey shot at goal – his teammate who was in an offside position interfered with play, attracting assistant referee Bossman’s raised flag.
An exciting second half it turned out to be as three goals got served the ecstatic crowd that filled the beautiful stadium arena.
On 55 minutes, Bechem put the soccer Mountaineers to the sword as Yaw Arnol struck a powerful shot pass goalkeeper Abass Mohammed from the edge of the penalty area.
The lead was however short-lived nine minutes later. Sulemana Ibrahim dispatched a tailored long pass from defense which Bechem defender Alfred Nelson made a hush of. Maclin Ampadu who fed on the ball then delivered a low-cross in front of goal with striker Akoto Danso arriving to connect home. 1-1.
Yaw Arnol was however back to deliver victory to Bechem United as he fortuitously pounced on a diverted pass by striker Abednego Tetteh in the 74th minute.
Yaw Arnol’s brace handed the Brong Ahafo region club a deserved 2-1 victory and the glittering trophy as winners of the 2016 edition of the MTN FA Cup.
Bechem walk home with a GHc40,000 prize money. They have also secured a ticket to represent Ghana in the 2017 Caf Confederation Cup.
For their FA Cup feat, each Bechem United player is set to receive a GHc5,000 prize and a sponsored holiday trip abroad, the bankroller of the club has announced.