Mediama SC star striker, Jonathan Sowah, slotted home the winner as Nungua defeated Teshie 2-1 in their annual Homowo (Kplejoo festival) football match on Saturday.
The gangling in-form striker, converted a 35th minute penalty awarded to Nungua side by Referee Andrew Kwakye, following a handball in the area.
The visitors stole the initiative after 23 minutes through Dreams FC forward, Ismael Dede, who was a standout performer on the afternoon.
The goal came when Nungua captain and former Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder, Emmanuel Nettey, lost control of the ball in his own half despite being under negligible pressure.
A quick pass was played to put Dede through on goal, and the Ghana Premier League (GPL) player did not hesitate at all in slotting the ball beyond the reach of Emmanuel Adade in post for Nungua for the first goal of the day.
However, Teshie’s lead was ephemeral as just three minutes later, Nungua found the redeemer after a corner.
This time, Nettey was on point as he effected a dream kick – which was elegantly headed home by defender, Kingsley Kwakye, after being left loose by the opposition.
The goal was greeted with a thunderous applause and celebration by the large crowd that gathered for the spectacular game.
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after the goal and goaded on by the home crowd, the Nungua boys then got what would prove to be the winner through Sowah’s penalty, to hand them the advantage in this two-legged annual contest. Teshie, dominated the second half, but they could not find an opening at the back of the water-tight Nungua backline as the game ended with victory in favour of the home side.
The occasion was graced by hords of eminent personalities and several traditional rulers including the Nungua Mantse, Professor Oboade Notse, King Odaifio Welentsi III, Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse – Konor Nuumo Borketey Laweh-Tsuru, MP for Nungua – Agnes Naa Momo Lartey and her Teshie counterpart – Benjamin Narteh Ayiku, among others.Chairman of the Nungua Old Players Association (NOPA), James Kotey – organisers of this year’s match, expressed his delight after the game, and commended the two sides for putting up a dazzling performance throughout the afternoon.
“It’s been a great showing from the two sides and we can only look forward to having an encore in the reverse fixture,” he told the Times Sports after the game.
Nungua will look to preserve this result when they visit Teshie who celebrate their own Homowo festival in August, next month.
BY JOHN VIGAH