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Medeama win against Al Ittihad to progress on aggregate

Medeama SC won by two goals to nil to qualify on aggregate to the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup

Mohammed Abass' brace in the first half sent Medeama SC into the round of 16 stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, as the Tarkwa based side qualified on 2-1 aggregate score over Al Ittihad.

Medeama having lost 1-0 in the first leg against their Libyan opponent needed a two-goal margin win to qualify straight without penalties.

The FA Cup winners made their intentions known right from kick off.

Abass tapped in his first goal into a yawning net after ten minutes of play. Emmanuel Yeboah had struck the bar from 20 meters earlier before Abass scored from the rebound while goalkeeper Ble Zadi was down on the field after his failed attempt to Yeboah's shot.

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Abass scored his second in the 38th minute with another calm headed finish. Kwame Boahene dribbled his way into the box and cut back to the striker, whose flick-on pass was blocked but turned quickly to curl the ball to the roof of the net.

Medeama dominated their opponent with their passing system, pressing the Libyans and ensured the game was played mostly in the half of the visitors.

Abdul Salem Habel disappointed his team in the 24th minute when he failed to score in a two-on-one situation from a counter attack. Goalkeeper Muntari Tagoe also did well to parry the ball but the heartbreak was clearly seen on Habel when he buried his head in his hand.

Medeama zealously searched for a third goal and Samuel Bio came close with shot which Zadi failed to grab but the goalkeeper was lucky as the ball missed his net.

Emmanuel Yeboah was also unlucky to score as his half volley from close range came off the woodwork.

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The second half started in like manner for Medeama, who enjoyed massive home support while Black Stars coach Avram Grant monitored from his VIP seat.

Ittihad showed urgency to attack and some clumsiness in tackling. This was when time was running against them.

Daniel Amoah became more useful in defense with his height in the aerial tussle asIttihad tried to take advantage of their tall strikers.

With the sun losing it scorching power, the Libyans grew in strength and their quest to score gathered confidence.

Abass had an easy decision to pass a through ball from Boahene to Benjamin Bature to score but he rather shot way off target from inside the box in search of a hat-trick with two minutes to full time.

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Al Ittihad gave Medeama  a big scare in the dying moments of the game. Zuway Ahmed jumped to head home a cross from Habel but assistant referee Houha Bongura flagged for an offside.

Referee Dauda Guaye had whistled for a goal but the hoisted flag of his Senegalese colleague meant he rescind his earlier call.

Afterwards, the final whistle was blown to the delight of Medeama.

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