Inter Allies recorded their second home victory in the second round with a 2-0 win over Elmina Sharks are the El Wak Stadium in Accra on Friday afternoon.
Hashmin Musah in the 16th minute and Abdul-Nassiru Hamzah in the 80 minute made sure the “Eleven is To One” registered a very comfortable win to consolidate their recent performances.
Goalkeeper Kwame Baah, defender Paul Abanga and midfielders Samuel Bekoe and Antwi Kwame Amoako returned to the starting line up, Abdul Halik Hudu (suspended) and Wahab Ackwei (injured) missed the game for Inter Allies.
The visitors’ talisman, Benjamin Boateng and their captain Charles Marckarthy were surprisingly benched with Anthony Yerful, Ibrahim Musah formerly of Hearts of Oak and Jospeh Mensah handed starting roles, Benjamin Tweneboah missed the game.
Samuel Bekoe (Allies) got the first chance of the game six minutes after kick off, Martin Antwi dribbled past 3 players to set the midfielder from distance but his effort was a little over the bar.
Few minutes later, Abdul-Nassiru Hamzah made a quick dash to receive a pass from Isaac Twum and it looked promising but Obeng Crenstil Daniel was very fast to the ball and made sure that, the chance meant no harm for his side.
Ibrahim Musah who has a good record against Inter Allies showed glimpses of why the hosts should be weary of him. However he had four defenders to deal with as he switched across all the forward line, strong with power but against a resolute defensive set up.
Just a minute over the first quarter of the game, Inter Allies broke the deadlock. Abdul-Nassiru Hamzah was fouled on the edge of Sharks’ penalty area, Martin Antwi sent a teasing one in and defender Hashmin Musah jumped the highest to nod home his first Inter Allies goal.
As if that was okay to calm nerves, the hosts took away complacency from their play and continued to push for the second, the visitors were very quiet and a bit clueless as they were virtually pushed back.
Martin Antwi was fantastic and the defenders found it difficult to hold him, he sent Chekezie Alozie through on goal but his shot was well saved by Attah Richard.
Abdul-Nassiru Hamzah went close twice, but goalkeeper Richard Attah made sure the former had no goal in the first half of the game, Elmina Sharks were totally outplayed in the first department of the game.
It was a big sigh of relief for the visiting team when the referee, Otis Oppong blew his whistle for the mandatory half time break, at least a moment for breathing arrived.
Inter Allies continued from where they left it in the first half, but this time for a short while. Chekezie Alozie’s early chance in the second half was the closest the hosts went for some period.
The visitors took over the game after recess and especially after the introduction of Benjamin Boateng on the hour mark.
Ibrahim Musah, Joseph Mensah and Jospeh Dabitoris made sure the hosts had no breathing space as they desperately looked for the equalizer.
Tetteh Nortey and Otoo Emmanuel combined to create an opening but the latter blew the opportunity with a down shot which went wide, just minutes after coming on in the 64th minute.
Sharks sent many men forward for the equalizer and were hit in the face. Shaibu Haruna sent a long kick in and was flicked by Chekezie Alozie, Abdul-Nassiru Hamzah fought his way through the defence to slot home Allies’ second with ten minutes left of the clock, his first goal for the club.
Despite Sharks pushing for at least a consolation, their efforts went futile and Allies held on to deserving 2-0 win.
Hashmin Musah (Allies) who scored his first goal for Allies was named the NASCO Man of the Match.
Inter Allies XI: Kwame Baah, Shaibu Haruna, Fard Ibrahim, Paul Abanga, Hashmin Musah, Antwi Kwame Amoako, Isaac Twum (90* Desmond Abuga), Samuel Bekoe, Abdul-Nassiru Hamzah (86* Stephen Jolley), Martin Antwi (68* Prince Baffoe), Uwandu Chekezie Alozie.
Unused subs: Salifu Saed, Maxwell Ansah, Samuel Mensah Konney.
Elmina Sharks XI: Attah Richard, Obeng Crenstil Daniel, Ibrahim Suraj (84* Ebo Mends Edward), Arthur Samuel, Ampiah Emmanuel, Adams Farouk, Tetteh Nortey, Anthony Yerful (63*Boateng Benjamin), Dabitoris Joseph, Ibrahim Musah (64* Otoo Emmanuel), Joseph Mensah.
Unused subs: Osei Eric, Hammond Ishmael, Charles Marckarthy, Opoku Joshua.
