Mandela FC VS Cantonments FC

Date : July 18th 2010
Match Venue : Labadi, LA Salem Park
Attendance : 137
Final Scores : 1:0 (1:0) 17'
Match Report by Dominic Baltisser

Cantonments' second league fixture of the season was played today after the world-cup-break.

"Never change a winning team" said Head Coach Eric Ofori, he almost trusted his starting 11 who beat Obunu FC a few weeks ago. He only had to change his keeper as Nr. 1 goalie Korley Colttey hasn’t fully recovered from a slight training-injury. Ofori also took Simon Kwesi Salifu forward to the left midfield and therefore Dodzie Mensah Ahiabu back to the defense. “On this narrow pitch, Salifu can help us more in a more offensive role”, said Ofori. And captain Nii Martey Commodore was confident: "Mandela recently beat us in a tournament 1:0. This will not happen again. We are ready, and will score them at least 2!"

Commodore’s team-mates seemed to take his words to their heart: As soon as the referee blew his whistle, CFC put immense pressure on Mandela’s defense. After only 3 minutes, Lavoi already found himself in a great shooting position, but unfortunately he couldn’t control the ball with his final-touch. A few seconds later, it was Lavoi again! After a delicious changeover from Salifu, he entered the box from the right side and tested Mandela’s keeper for the first time. CFC now became more and more confident as it seemed very easy for them creating scoring chances. Afrifa and especially Salifu were dominating the midfield, but Junior twice, Tetteh and again Lavoi couldn’t take advantage of their scoring chances.

17 minutes were played when Mandela FC got a free kick just behind their halfway line. A powerful cross straight into the box – confusion in CFC’s so far untested defense – one leg of a Mandela player slightly changed the direction of the ball – 1:0 – out of nothing!

After this shock, it took CFC about 15 minutes to find their brilliant organisation again. During this time, it seemed as if goalkeeper Leonard Alyee, who played his first match after a serious injury last year, had lost confidence. He miscalculated several crosses and generally struggled with his timing – his knees were literally shaking. Consequently, coach Eric Ofori had no other choice than taking his insecure keeper off and Nicolas Nomo, a very young, talented keeper was suddenly playing his first senior league match!

After that change, CFC clearly regained confidence; especially right back George Abonny started pushing forward down the wing. As a result of that, Tetteh found himself in two great scoring positions, but his decent header was cleared by Mandela’s keeper, and his shot just outside of the box missed the goal by 1 or 2 yards.

During the whole first half, Mandela didn’t have another shot on target, but still, at halftime, they were leading 1:0 – very undeserved.

Half-time

Head Coach sent the players out with a very encouraging message: "Guys you played brilliant football, believe in yourself, we will score them!"

Though during the first 10 minutes of the second half, it seemed Mandela’s defense was far better organized than it used to be. CFC struggled to break through, especially as their midfielders final passes became a bit imprecise. After 58 minutes, Abonny hit a promising free kick straight into the wall, Salifu’s follow up shot went over the bar.

After 65 minutes, coach Ofori made his second substitution, he took left back Dodzi Mensah, who had delivered a solid defensive match, off and replaced him with midfielder Eric Akrofi. Therefore, Salifu went back to his original position in left defense, but effectively he played on the left wing.

This substitution showed an immediate effect, as Akrofi launched Salifu with his first touch down the left wing. With his typical easiness, the winger dribbled two defenders and crossed the ball to the center, were Mandela FC forgot about Tetteh, who was completely free 8 yards in front of the goal. It needed a fantastic reflex save from their goalkeeper to keep a very lucky lead. Among all the opportunities, this was so far the best! CFC started to really believe in themselves again and were given a very promising looking free kick. Whilst Mandela’s keeper was commanding his wall, suddenly one player went down. What happened? According to the referee, Eric Akrofi punched his elbow into the players’ stomach, so he punished him with a straight red card! Akrofi couldn’t believe it!

It was Abonny again who took the free kick, but this time, he didn’t blast it, but flicked it around the wall- and hit the underside of the crossbar!

Although lacking one player, CFC, who had just subbed on Tawiah for Lavoi, made use of their very high fitness level and kept playing a very aggressive pressing. Despite their open defense, Mandela hardly got a chance for a counter attack, so keeper Nomo had a very peaceful afternoon – all he had to do was catch a few harmless crosses and long-shots.

But still, Mandela was leading, and CFC ran out of time. Desperation was written in our players faces, as the ball just didn’t want to enter the goal! Now they tried it with long passes from Afrifa and Salifu, but today was just not our day. Junior and Salifu missed our last 2 chances, so that Mandela took an undeserved victory. But, he who doesn’t use his chances…

"If we play 100 matches like this, we win 95", stated very disappointed head coach Eric Ofori after the game. "We have to work on our finishing, we were lacking a killer instinct".

Jersey Nr. Name Position Yellow C. Red C. Avg. Rating (10 max)
16 Leonard Adu Alyee GK     4
14 George Abonny RB     7
8 Dodzi Mensah Ahiabu LB     6
2 Daniel Awuni Akpadago CD     6
7 Nii Martey Commodore CD     6.5
12 Derick Yeboah Nortey DM     6
13 Thomas Afrifa Ouadu DM     6
6 Dola Tetteh RM     5.5
9 Simon Kwesi Salifu LM     7.5
10 Christopher Kofi Lavoi OM     4.5
11 Kofi Akom Junior S     3.5
Subs.          
5 Eric Akrofi LM   X -
4 Ishmael Ayenor RM      
15 Evans Tawiah S     6
3 Charles Kumson S      
1 Nicolas Nomo GK     7

Substitutions :

32’ Nicolas Nomo/ Leonard Adu Alyee

59’ Eric Akrofi / Dodzi Mensah Ahiabu

72’ Evans Tawiah / Christopher Kofi Lavoi

Man of the Match : Simon Kwesi Salifu

Technical Director : Eric Ofori

Coach : Kofi Enoch Owusu

General Manager : Dominic Baltissser

Physio : Eric Otoo