Ghana Premier League side Ashgold Sporting Club have bowed out of the ongoing CAF Confederation Cup after a painful defeat to RS Berkane in Morocco today.
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It was a 2-0 victory for RS Berkane which has ensured that they progress to the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup with a 4-3 aggregates.
The Berkane based club started the game on a good note as they needed to turn a 3-2 deficit to enable them sail through to the next round.
Dayo Issoufuo nearly had the match opener for the home side in the 4th minute but his connection to a free kick narrowly missed the post for a goal kick.
Ashgold’ Musah Mohammed was shockingly shown the exit doors as early as the 8th minute of the game, reducing the Miners men to 10.
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Goalkeeper Frank Boateng who was the hero and undoubtedly Ashgold’ best player in the game, made three crucial saves in the 18th and the 22nd minutes to prevent Berkane from getting the opener.
But that was not enough, as tormentor Dayo Issoufuo registered the opener for the home side in the 32nd minute.
Issoufuo scored from a close range to send the Moroccan giant to the lead.
Ashgold quickly regrouped and started knocking the doors of Berkane for the equalizer.
Striker Shafiu Mumuni was fouled in the eighteen yard box of the Berkane as he tried to connect Latif Anabila’ through pass in the 34 minute, but the centre referee waved for play-on.
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Frank Boateng made another crucial save in the 41st minute to prevent the high-flying Berkane’ side from increasing the tally.
Zaid Krouch with a beautiful curler in the 45th minute extended the lead for the home side to 2-0 to end the first half of the game.
RS Berkane returned from the recess to search for the third goal as Alain Traore’ header from close range rised over for a goal kick in the 47th minute.
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Coach Ricardo Da Rocha made his first substitution as playmaker Emmanuel Osei Baffour was replaced with workaholic Mark Agyekum in the 52nd minute of play.
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Agyekum’ inclusion saw an improved performance from Ashgold SC but that didn’t last long as Berkane returned to dominate the game.
Once again, Frank Boateng made another crucial save as he beautiful punched Bakre El Helaali’ close range in the 62nd minute.
In the 70th minute, Amos Addai was sent a through ball but his shot from afar went out wide for a goal kick.
Coach Ricardo Da Rocha made another change as Julius Ofori Ziggy replaced Appiah McCarthy in the 81st minute.
Ashgold continued to dominate the dying embers of the game but all efforts to get the consolation went futile as the game needed 2-0 in favor of the home team.
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The victory means RS Berkane have qualified for the next round of the competition with 4-3 on aggregates.
