Edubiase stun AshGold to win FA Cup
Accra, Aug. 5, GNA – New Edubiase United FC were crowned winners of the 2012 FA Cup after beating AshantiGold 1-0 in the finals on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Captain Moro Ibrahim scored the only goal of the match from a free-kick on 51 minutes for Edubiase to cruise to their biggest silverware in the history of the Club.
Under a minute, Edubiase made clear their intent clear as man-of-the-match, Basit Adams blasted a carpet shot which however posed no problem to AshantiGold goalie Fatau Dauda.
Aside scooping the trophy in their maiden appearance in the final, the Bekwai-based Club finished the campaign without letting in a goal as many matches.
By the feat, Edubiase will represent Ghana in next year's second-tier continental club championship, the CAF Confederation Cup.
Tagged as favourites, the Miners, who ended the game with 10-men after midfielder Eric Opoku was sent off early in the second half, have themselves to blame for a below par performance that cost them the ticket to compete in next year's Africa Club Championship.
Few minutes later, the Miners took control of the game, directing affairs from the midfield but failed to test Edubiase goalie Salia Ibrahim.
On 17 minutes, keeper Fatau was again to his Club's rescue with a splendid save off Basit's goal-bound shot after Asiedu Attobrah had put the former through.
On the half-hour mark, AshGold were gifted with their best opportunity at goal as enterprising midfielder Aaron Amoah laid a tailor-measured pass to Nana Poku, but the striker's one-time effort hit the upright with keeper Iddrisu Salia completely beaten.
Edubiase resumed the second half strongly and their effort paid off five minutes into the half as Ibrahim delivered a scorcher from a free-kick that zoomed into the left corner of the net, beyond the reach Fatau for what turned out to be the only goal of the match.
Nine minutes later, the Miners were dealt a major blow as Opoku was sent off after a second yellow card following a tackle on Adams.
Edubiase took control of the game capitalizing on their numerical advantage but lanky striker Stephen Manu fluffed the countable scoring opportunities that came his way.
On the other side, it was substitute Alex Asamoah whose lousiness in front of goal made the Miners' attack almost non-existent.
As the game wore on, Asamoah was put through by Ivorian-import Didier Kore, and with only keeper Salia at his mercy, he fumbled to the dismay of the sparse crowd.
AshGold coach Yaw Acheampong, who won the title as a player in 1993 with the Club, brought on Francis Coffie and Samed Oppong for Amoah and Bernard Akuffo, but their presence could barely alter the scoreline as Edubiase held on to victory.
Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing presented the ultimate trophy to Edubiase's captain Moro Ibrahim amidst cheers from the playing body and supporters of the winners, whilst the dejected AshGold players headed towards the dressing room.