Medeama edged out Ebusua Dwarfs 6-5 in a thrilling 11-goal encounter as both sides kicked off their campaigns in the ongoing Ghalca G8 Tournament on Sunday.
The Mauve and Yellows had their goals shared between the trio of former Kotoko striker Kwame Boateng, Agyenim Boateng and skipper Joseph Tetteh Zutah who bagged a brace each.
Kwame Boateng opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a poachers’ finish but Bashiru Hatford’s men hit back within two minutes through Isaac Donkor.
The drama began to unfold in the 27th minute when goalkeeper Ansah Fufuro failed to grab the ball from a long throw-in by Amoah Mensah. The ball was feebly headed back but onto the path of Albert Hammond who hit home a half-volley for Dwarfs to claim a 2-1 lead.
Three minutes later, Dwarfs were on the up again. New signing from Elmina Sharks, Joseph Dabitora cut the ball back in the Medeama box and laid it for an unmarked Stephen Bentil to make it 3-1.
Medeama got back into the game again as Agyenim provided an assist for Kwame Boateng on the 40th minute mark. The latter got the chance to register his hat-trick two minutes on after Agyenim was brought down for a penalty.
Kwame Boateng however saw his penalty kick come off the legs of goalkeeper Andoh before a Dwarfs defender quickly cleared the ball for a corner. The resulting kick saw Agyenim Boateng turn up at the far corner to tap home his first goal and the game was evenly poised at 3-3 two minutes before the break.
Just two minutes into the second half, the game moved into another gear as Medeama restored the lead, 4-3 courtesy a sweet free-kick which went over the wall from the edge of the 18-yard.
A bit of some pressing from Kwme Boateng in the 53rd minute saw Agyenim Boateng capitalize on poor defending by Dwarfs and coolly slotted in his brace with his left foot. 5-3 for the Tarkwa-based club.
Dwarfs’ aerial challenge at the back was once more exposed as they failed to deal with another long throw-in by Amos Korankye in the 66th minute. Zuttah was on hand to score the sixth for Medeama and his second on the day.
As they trailed by three goals, Dwarfs did not give up. Joseph Dabitora who provided an assist in the first half, got his name on the score sheet after blasting into the rooftop from inside the box in the 72nd minute.
Dwarfs had Isaac Donkor sent off four minutes from time for an elbow offence but scored again through Joseph Esso who latched a beautiful free-kick to finish the goal fest at 6-5 in favour of Medeama at the Cape Coast Stadium.
Medeama lead the pack in Group B but have the same points, 3, with Hearts of Oak who defeated Karela United 1-0 on Saturday.
Line-ups:
Medeama XI:
Yaw Ansah Fufuro – Ali Ouattara Issouf/80’ Richard Boadu, Ibrahim Yaro, Bright Enchil, Justice Blay, Amos Korankye, Rashid Nortey/65’ Meschak Odoom, Agyei Boakye, Joseph Tetteh Zutah ©/70’ John Arthur, Agyenim Boateng, Kwame Boateng
Ebusua Dwarfs XI:
Frank Andoh – Amoah Mensah, Eric Appiah/Richard Arhin, Aikins Asante/46’ Michael Addo, Musah Mohammed, Stephen Bentil, Alhaji Mustapha, Isaac Donkor, Joseph Dabitora, Joseph Esso, Albert Hammond/45’ Peter Teye
