By: Sheikh Tophic Sienu @desheikh1 on twitter
Substitute Abeiku Ainooson's 36th minute goal was enough to see the Local Black Stars climax their CHAN preparations with a lone goal victory over second tier side Prestea Mine Stars at the Prestea Scott Park.
Kadri Mohammed sustained an early injury in the game compelling coach Maxwell Konadu to replace him with the Asante Kotoko defender.
The workaholic defender jumped above all others to head home the decider from a corner which was tailored by WAFA captain Zakaria Mumuni.
The Local Black Stars dominated the game in the first half but the Division Two side who are preparing for their Division One sub-middle league were resolute in defense to deny Maxwell Konadu's side from increasing the tally.
Mohammed Shariff Deo of Inter Allies thrilled the fans with his dribbling abilities but his two strikes were parried away by the goalkeeper of Prestea Mine Stars.
The home side came close to fetching the equalizer when striker Samuel Mireku had goalkeeper Richard Ofori to his mercy but opted to shoot wide.
The Local Black Stars intensified their effort to fetch the second goal of the afternoon with a strike from Samuel Tetteh ten minutes into the second half but the spirited Mine Stars defenders proved worthy of their positions.
Coach Maxwell changed the entire squad that started the game but for Abeiku Ainooson and Shariff Deo Mohammed.
2015 MTN FA Cup Most Valuable Player, Kwasi Donsu, proved his worth when he submerged the inexperienced Mine Stars midfielders in the second half compelling them to chase their own shadows.
The completely packed stadium almost saluted Rahman Abubakar when he intelligently turn Abeiku inside out to fire a 40-yarder shot which caught the wrong side of Felix Annan but was saved by the woodwork in the 76th minute.
The Local Black Stars could not increase the tally until the final whistle was blown but were given a very competitive game with scintillating displays to thrill the home fans.
Maxwell Konadu's side is preparing for the to play Burkina Faso in the 2017 African Nations Championship to be hosted in Gabon.