MTN FA Cup: AshantiGold 4-1 Berekum Chelsea – Amos Nkrumah scores goal of the competition contender as Miners run riot over Blues

AshantiGold have secured their place in the MTN FA Cup final after beating Berekum Chelsea 4-1 in extra-time following a pulsating 1-1 draw in regulation time at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Eric Esso scored an admirable free kick to open the scoring for the Miners but Stephen Sarfo drew parity for the Blues after coming off the bench.

In extra-time Amos Nkrumah scored an extraordinary goal after striking from 30 yards before Amos Addai latched on to a speculative ball from Frank Akoto to round off the goalkeeper to bury the ball home to give AshantiGold the comfort goal. There was even enough time for Seth Osei to add his name to the score-sheet.

Berekum Chelsea were presented with extraordinary moments to grab the opening goal but in as much as they appeared unlucky AshantiGold’s goalkeeper Kofi Mensah and Richard Osei Agyemang produced some outstanding moments to keep the Blues at bay.

Defender Stephen Anokye Badu twice had to be at his best to prevent Isaac Opoku Agyemang from scoring the opener for the Miners.

Stephen Amankona, Essiam and Henry Ainsu were big forces in the midfield as the trio showed good energy along with the experienced Kofi Owusu.

Amankona saw his free-kick come off a head inside the AshantiGold box before blasting off the near-post. Collins Ameyaw and Amankona combined to applied a beautiful technique inside the area to locate Atta Agyei but the youngster watched his header miss narrowly.

But, it was AshantiGold who scored late into the first-half when Eric Esso beautiful struck home a free kick in the 45th minute to end send the Miners ahead going into the break.

After the break Chelsea showed good energy after coach Hoffman introduced the experienced Stephen Sarfo and the former Black Stars B attacker immediately made impact as he scored the leveller for the Blues.

Berekum Chelsea coach Seth Hoffman surprisingly named the experienced Stephen Sarfo on the bench as he appeared to inject some depth into his backup options on the bench.

The game head for extra-time and Amos Nkrumah scored a screamer and a goal of the competition contender as he powered a fierce drive that sailed unstoppably into the top corner.

Just before the break in extra-time defender Frank Akoto located Amos Addai unmarked in the area with a speculative ball and the attacker went solo, beating the goalkeeper in a 1v1 situation before shooting into the net for the third goal.

Experienced goalkeeper Ernest Sowah missed the game due to injury.

However the former Hearts of Oak trainer lined up Ghana youth defender Emmanuel Essiam, former Asante Kotoko player Collins Ameyaw, Kofi Owusu and Stephen Amankona in his starting XI.

His AshantiGold counterpart Thomas Duah made three changes to the side that won over Kintampo Top Talents. The talented Seth Osei holds down his place in the team while Mark Agyekum, Frank Akoto, Eric Esso and Amos Addai all started the game.

Chelsea had revenge on their minds having lost the 2012 FA Cup semi-final 1-0 against the Miners during the extra time in Kumasi. The Blues were also inspired by their giant-killing feat after they beat Kotoko to secure a semi-final ticket.

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Source: Sports