Oly beat Etoile 3-2 in CAF cup match but unimpressive

Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March '99

Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March '99 Accra Great Olympics, who are making a come-back after a seven-year absence from the continental competitions, failed to impressive but managed to score a hard 3-2 win over Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso in their first leg first round CAF Cup match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday. Parading an inexperienced youthful side, most of them yet to have a feel of the Ghanaian local league, Oly had a number of scoring chances but were able to utilise only three. In some cases, the players were in a confused state of mind as to what to do with the ball. The visitors unsettled Oly in the 13th minute with a free kick taken close to the penalty area. Inside left Sanou Zacharia dashed through the Oly defence to collect a pass, which he shot past goalkeeper Sam Quaye for the opener. After the goal, the nearly 10,000 crowd booed at the Oly team and hurled insults at the head coach, J. E. Sarpong, who under pressure from the fans, was forced to bring on Billy Sulley for Enoch Odoom. Sulley, who brought life into the team, sent a through pass but it was handled by skipper Etoile Firmin Sanou in the box for a penalty which was expertly converted by defender David Mensah for Oly's equaliser in the 34th minute. The goal shook the Accra boys into action but again their inexperience became manifest as Amui Quaye and Charles Taylor failed to put their side ahead before the break. Both attackers came close but wasted the chances in the 42nd and 45th minutes respectively Cheered on by their few supporters, the Burkinabes, parading seven players from their senior national team, started the second half very well but it was Oly, who banged in two more goals before the visitors could redeemed one. Quaye atoned for his earlier miss when he beautifully connected Sulley's through ball into the empty net after he had outwitted the entire defence including the goalie. Nigerian referee Ibrahim Saulawa used his yellow card twice in the game on Kabore Adama and Zacharia, both of Etoile, in the 58th and 60th minutes respectively. The Burkinabes brought on Tall Mamadou for Kabore in an attempt to cancel the deficit but that could not be achieved as Quaye scored his personal second and third for Oly in the 68th minute. Baba Issaka gave way for Nii Boye Sam in the 71st minute while Etoile's Ouedraogo Ali and Nayaga Dominique came on for Zacharia and Tall Tidiant in the 78th minute. The changes paid off for Etoile as substitute Ali netted their second goal with three minutes to go. The visitors nearly cancelled the third goal but goalkeeper Sam Quaye pulled off a brilliant save to keep the score line at 3-2 in favour of Oly. The second leg is scheduled for Burkina Faso in two weeks' time. Line up: (Oly): Sam Quaye, Samad Yusif, David Mensah, Philip Kutsu, Yaw Hammond, Issaka Baba/Nii Boye Sam, Enoch Odoom/Billy Sulley, Amui Quaye, Noble Tadika/Solomon Qauinoo, Charles Taylor, Sam Monnie. Etoile: Soura Issa, Firmin Sanou, Dossama Madou, Kone Mamadou, Kabore Adama/Tall Mamadou, Sery Patrice, Drabo Sidiki, Kouyate Barrou, Tall Tidiant/Ouedraogo Ali, Sanou Zacharia/Nayaga Dominique, Ouedraogo Drissa.