Legon Cities and Berekum Chelsea played out a 1-1 in the first game of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League (GPL) Saturday night.
Stephen Amankona and Jonah Attuquaye each fired from the penalty spot in the first half to grant either side a point in a clash that failed to produce enough action in attack at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Legon Cities paraded a fine starting line-up that included popular football names Elvis Opoku and Baba Mahama.
Chelsea also matched their opponent’s squad quality with Stephen Sarfo and Edward Kpodo. Both players were members of the Bibires a few seasons ago.
FIRST HALF
Both teams began with a slow tempo, in attack and focused on controlling the game in midfield. It was Chelsea who sent a quick caution early in the game.
Augustine Henneh forced a save from Cities goalkeeper Fatau Dauda in the 11th minute.
Minutes later, another threat from the visitors registered the first goal of the encounter.
In the 22nd minute, Kofi Owusu won a penalty kick after a foul by Joseph Agyei and Chelsea skipper Stephen Amankona brilliantly fired past Dauda for the opener.
Legon Cities reacted well especially in midfield but faced a tough defence from a side that was focused on keeping the lead till halftime.
But that would not end as the story of the first half.
An attacking move from Baba Mahama resulted in a foul in the 18-yard box from his marker and Jonah Attuquaye slotted home to level the scores in the 34th minute.
With few minutes to half time, Stephen Sarfo was substituted for Paul Atta Agyei due to a slight injury.
Both sides provided fewer threats in the remaining minutes, ending the first half at 1-1.
SECOND HALF
After the break, it was Legon Cities who began the game well in search of an early lead.
Having the ball in midfield is not enough to win a game. And that was the story of the home side’s performance in the second half.
They dominated through Baba Mahama and Elvis Opoku. Not even the introductions of Matthew Anim Cudjoe and Nasiru Moro could cause harm to the Blues.
For Chelsea, the introduction of veteran Jordan Opoku was a positive one for the duel. They then took control of the midfield but upfront they did less.
Both sides could only settle for a draw and will now switch their focus on their next encounters.
Elvis Opoku, for his dominance in midfield, won the Nasco Man-of-the-Match award.
