Medeama SC survived a Remo Stars scare to qualify to the next stage of the CAF Champions League preliminary stage despite losing 1-0 in their second leg tie played yesterday in Nigeria.
Having won the first leg in Ghana 1-0, Coach Evans Adotey and his charges were aware of the enormity of the task that awaits them in the second leg and prepared feverishly for it.
But that notwithstanding, the Nigerians gave them a difficult time as they chased an early goal to unsettle the Medeama SC.
But the Mauves and Yellows stayed resolute and defended gallantly and threatened on a few occasions.
With the fans cheering the hosts, they kept the Medeama area boiling as they controlled the beautifully and floated a number of decent crosses which were deal with by the Medeama defence.
Medeama gave a good account of themselves and kept the first half barren.
The second half kicked off in an exciting note as the Nigerian champions increased the effort and stormed the Medeama area of the pitch but the Ghanaians held on until the 73rd minute when the Ghanaian resilience was broken.
However, Remo Stars levelled the aggregate score with an unfortunate own goal from Medeama in the 73rd minute.
That opened the score to one-all on aggregate and that obviously put some amount of pressure on the Ghanaians as the host kept probing for the winner.
But with both sides failing to find the back of the net again, the game plunged into penalty-shootouts which the Ghanaian maintained a calm composure to convert three to win 3-2.
Medeama are set to face Guinean champions Horoya in their next clash which is expected to be full of fireworks.
BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER
