It was a night of firsts on Saturday as Elmina Sharks notched their first win while handing WAFA SC their first defeat in the 2017/18 Ghana Premier League.
With a game in hand, Sharks had been winless in their first two matches but the determined side ensured beating the Academy boys 2-0 thanks to goals from Benjamin Arthur and Daniel Obeng Crentsil at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Sharks approached the game with aggression and grit to match WAFA’s free-flowing football. It was all even in the opening half-hour but coach Yaw Acheampong’s side soon gained upper hand.
A free-kick on the right side saw Sharks’ attackers first unsettle the defense men of WAFA. Referee S.B Bortey had to intervene in a misunderstanding which involved WAFA’s captain Mohammed Alhassan who ended up receiving a booking.
Winger Richard Mpong finally effected the kick – a tailored one into the six yards with an unmarked Benjamin Arthur popping up at the end with a free header into the back of the net. 1-0 on 33 minutes.
Elmina Sharks kept their solitary lead into the second half. And on 66 minutes, they extended their lead in a similar fashion to the opener. Another sweetly delivered free-kick from Mpong had Ofoe Ofotsu heading the ball down for Daniel Obeng Crentsil to blast home from close range.
There was a floodlight failure moments later which plunged the stadium into darkness. Apparently, it was caused by a power outage. The game was delayed till after about 40 minutes when electricity was restored.
The game continued afterwards but neither side could find the back of the net further.
With the win, Elmina Sharks are not on 4 points while WAFA remain with 7 from four matches.
Elmina Sharks defender Suraj Ibrahim was named NASCO man-of-the-match.
Six other matchday four fixtures are scheduled for Sunday April 1.
Line-ups:
Elmina Sharks XI: Atta – Suraj, Ofosu, Crentsil, Tweneboah, B. Arthur, S. Arthur, Addo, Mpong, Hammond, Ebo Mends.
Subs: F. Arthur, Boateng, Ismaila, Ampiah, Osei, Nortey, Adom
WAFA SC XI: Ayi – Alhassan, Musah, Boateng, Atte, Dayegbe, Umar, Fofana, Lomotey, Amate, Aminu .
Subs: Bilson, Yiadom, Darko, Haruna, Boateng, Danso, Boakye.
