Medeama slice Maghreb de Fez in Confed Cup

Medeama took a giant step towards progressing in the CAF Confederation Cup after a first round first leg 3-0 win over former champions MAS Fez of Morocco at home on Sunday. 

The Ghanaians put up a superlative display at the Sekondi stadium, to signal a bold statement in their debut African campaign.

However the score line was not a true reflection of the game as the Mauve and Yellows could have buried their Moroccan counterpart under avalanche of goals.

Super strike from Malik Akowuah in the first half coupled with two faboulous drives from Kabiru Moro and Kwame Boahene, sandwiched my a missed penalty, propelled them to the famous win against the financially-stricken side.

Midfielder Malik Akowuah opened the scoring for the home side in the 30^th minute.

The ex-Ashantigold combative midfielder connected well from Michael Helegbe’s corner to slam home the opener which generated huge controversy.

MAS Fez protested against the goal claiming the ball did not cross the line which forced the game to delay for six minutes.

They charged on Nigerien referee Gomou Duoda who was forced to issue out cards to bring sanity into the game.

Kennedy Boateng should have put the Mauve and Yellows ahead as early as the 6^th minute after dribbling the defenders only to run into goalkeeper Aziz Quanini.

They kept the heat on the Moroccans and could have scored again but Kwame Boahene’s twisted effort flew wide.

The home side will keep an incessant pressure on the visitors who were left to play most of the game in their own half.

However the cutting edge from Kabiru Moro and Kennedy Boateng especially will always be a major source of concern for Peruvian trainer Carlos Roberto Paullete.

Moro was presented with another chance to score but his glancing header went wide from n in-swinger from impressive winger Samuel Adade in the 20^th minute.

Moro again came close but this time around goalkeeper Quanini was agile to the task by diving to save a goal-bound opportunity.

The best opportunity for the visitors felt to Senegalese Alhassan Dialo who fired a powerful drive from 30 yards.

The Moroccan adopted their trademark theatrics and went to the ground on any least challenge.

Medeama could have ended the first half two goals up after Michael Helegbe’s incisive free-kick ricochet off the cross bar.

The West African started the second half on a blistering fashion after Kabiru Moro increased the tally after just two minutes into the game.

He connected well from Kwame Boahene’s tailor-measured pass to put the ball at the blind side of goalkeeper Quanini in the 47 minutes.

Boahene then turned the scorer after he chipped the ball past the shot-stopper to seal victory with 15 minutes left to play.

Medeama have taken an important lead ahead of the return fixture in the North African country next week.

The ambitious Ghanaian side have surprised many with their free-flowing and attacking brand of football on the continent.

They are the now in pole position to qualify to the penultimate stage of the qualifying campaign.