Sekondi Eleven Wise defeated bitterest rivals Hasaacas 2-1 in the second game of the Goldfields Western Region Invitational Tournament at the Sekondi Sports Stadium today.
Prince Opoku’ stunner in the 73rd minute ensured Sekondi Eleven Wise beat Hasaacas to top the group A table.
Eleven Wise started the game on a good note with Justice Ato Mensah and James Bissue missing glaring opportunities.
Winger Philip Flamini nearly registered the opener for Hasaacas but his strike rised above the crossbar for a goal kick.
Eleven Wise continued the push for the first goal but that didn’t last long as Hasaacas gained possession and started pressuring the defense of the Monkeys for the opener.
Finally, captain Ibrahim Sanah Mohammed who was axed from the Black Stars ‘B’ final squad to face Burkina Faso in the CHAN qualifiers due to injury, registered the first goal for Hasaacas.
The sensational midfielder scored a breathtaking bicycle kick from Philip Flamini’ cross in the 44th minute to send the Green and Blacks to the lead.
The first half ended with Hasaacas leading by a goal to nil even though Sekondi Eleven Wise dominated possession.
Eleven Wise returned from the recess with much eagerness, creating goal threatening opportunities to snatch the parity but all to no avail.
Hasaacas goalkeeper Micheal Kwofie made two crucial saves in the 53rd minute of the match.
Eleven Wise continued the pile up pressure on the defense of Hasaacas until Nana Egyir conceded an own goal in the 65th minute of the titanic encounter.
Even though there was too much pressure on the defense of Sekondi Hasaacas, head coach Joseph Agyemang Jnr decided to throw more energy upfront as he substituted David Fianya for talented forward Obed Asamoah Ackah in the 66th minute.
Substitute Obed Asamoah nearly sent Hasaacas to the lead again but his strike missed the poles by inch.
Inspirational captain Prince Opoku had the decider for Sekondi Eleven Wise in the 73rd minute with a rebound from James Bissue’ free kick.
Hasaacas begun searching for the parity as they started creating glaring chances and tormenting the defense of the Western Show Boys.
The pressure from Hasaacas saw the players of Eleven Wise committing some silly mistakes with Sampson Eduku receiving the first yellow card for Wise following his bad tackle on youngster Obed Asamoah Ackah.
Philip Flamini had a one-on-one chance which even saw the supporters of Hasaacas rejoicing because they thought the winger will score with ease, but to their outmost surprised, the winger missed the chance.
The game ended 2-1 in favor of Sekondi Eleven Wise, who are currently leading the group A table with six points.
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Hasaacas Line-up
Micheal Kwofie
Rashid Alhassan
Isaac Asare
Nana Egyir
David Fianya
Ibrahim Sanah
Bernard Morrison
John Koomson
Philip Flamini
Labanti Saddick
Nathaniel Eshun
Eleven Wise line-up
Isaac Ofori
Samuel Ocran
Timothy Woode
Jeff Mensah
Francis Mensah
James Bissue
Prince Opoku
Justice Ato Mensah
Sampson Eduku
Ernest Ackon
