Faisal break hearts of supporters

Accra, Aug 21, GNA - Ghana's Confederation Cup campaigners, Kumasi King Faisal failed to maintain their lead in their group, when they were handed a shocking 2-1 defeat by Royal Armed Forces (FAR) of Morocco in the last game of the first round of the competition at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra on Sunday.

Faisal who until the defeat were in a pool position to top the group with six points after winning their first two matches have been pushed to the second spot, while the Moroccans take over the first spot. The Ghanaians met a tactically superior side, which made it highly impossible for them to exhibit their brand of football, which saw them taking a commanding lead at the beginning of the competition.


Eric Gawu and petit Ben Wilson were clipped upfront, whilst Abubakari Yahuza found it difficult to direct affairs from the middle.


This was as a result of the packed defensive and midfield build-up of the Moroccans, which ensured that Faisal never had the opportunity to execute any smooth move and managed to bring the game to a pulsating draw at the end of the first half.


FAR continued with the strategy on the same note in the second half and stunned the homesters with the opener within three minutes into the second half when overlapping Mohamed El Fadli's flick from a corner kick dropped into the net.


The goal tempted the Ghanaians to send out more men in search of the equaliser but they were caught pants down in the 60th minute from a swift counter attack by the Moroccans.

Abdessamani El Bouzid who proved to be a tough customer for the Faisal defence had no difficulty in moving deep into the Faisal area after the break before laying the ball onto the path of on-rushing Yussif Kaddiou to displace keeper Mohamed Suraj before planting the ball into the yawning net.


The Faisal lads never relented in their efforts to redeem their image and this was enhanced with the introduction of Osman Sakora, Prince Antwi and Edmund Owusu Peprah for Ben Wilson, Kwabena Poku and Sumaila Alhassan respectively.


The search for a redemption goal however remained elusive until the 73rd minute.


This eventually came from the foot of Yahuza, whose shot, after an intensed melee in the vital area of the Moroccans scaled through a cluster of legs before entering the net.


The goal served as a booster for Faisal who from then dominated the last quarter of the game and were presented with a perfect opportunity to cancel the lead when they were awarded with an indirect free kick in the "18" of the opponents after keeper Terek El Jarounimani was penalised for resorting to delay tactics but substitute Antwi wasted it with a misdirected kick.

Even though Faisal maintained the pressure on the Moroccans, they were unable to cancel the lead and not even five minutes of added time could help them redeem their image, compelling Zimbabwean referee Joseph Musaga to bring the game to an end.


The defeat sent many fans disappointed at the Ohene Djan Stadium as the game recorded quite an impressive turn out which was backed by the Ghana Supporters Union (GSU).


Line Up (Faisal): Suraj Mohamed, Bobbie Ansah, Habib Mohamed, Joe Asumani, Illiasu Alhassan, Kwabena Poku/Edmund Owusu Peprah, Ben Wilson/Osman Sakora, Abubakari Yahuza, Sumaila Alhassan/Prince Antwi, Eric Gawu, Ofosu Mickey. 21 Aug 05