The quest to survive relegation in the Premier League reached its peak level for Sekondi Hasaacas when they hosted and beat Aduana Stars 2-1 on at the Sekondi Stadium on Sunday.
Hasaaacas were a place above bottom going into the game and here comes a title contender in Aduana.
Inconsistent reports of the firing of Hasaacas' head coach Yusif Basigi, though was untrue and quashed by management potentially created its
tension to the game as well.
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Basigi watched from the stands as Joe Agyemang took the duty from the dugout. Hasaacas scored an early goal to calm pressure in the second minute when Magnus Ebo Duncan slotted home a rebound after Joseph Addo spilt a low shot from Kojo Poku. The build up to the goal itself was good as Isaac Acheampong, and Poku exchanged four passes before the attempt that presented the opportunity for Duncan to bury.
Aduana equalised in the 26th minute just when the home side were cruise control of the game.
A cut back from Yahaya Mohammed was connected by Bright Adjei. It was a running ball and a challenge between Yahaya and Daniel Egyin, but the Hasmal central defender fell in his chase for Yahaya to control the ball before making the assist. But Bright Adjei caused himself and his team a major blow in the 39th minute when he handled the ball in his box to concede a penalty.
Adjei had come back to defend, his anticipation to clear the pass to Saliw Babawo was spot on but somehow had his hand to the ball first before his leg. Kojo Poku confidently converted the spot kick to restore the lead for Hasaacas in the 40th minute. That goal eventually became the match winner but through nerves and fears. Kojo Poku himself had a myriad of chances to increase the lead for Hasmal, yet the woodwork and ill luck impeded him. The striker twice struck the bar from close range in different halves when the need for the cushioning third became very necessary.
The agony of the missed chances was climaxed in the 85th minute when Kojo Poku produced a major blooper. He controlled a pass in the box, took his time to position himself to finish but incredibly slipped and fell awkwardly when his leg was about to touch the ball.
The fans were in utter disbelief, and some thought it was a sign of a bad day where possibly their team could finally give up their fight to stay in top flight football. Both teams had a good bite of the cherry, but the consistency and purposes shown by Aduana to grab a point was amazing.
They prove their worth, and they nearly earned a gift of a late equaliser. Michael Abu jumped and handed his hands around the ball crossed by Godfred Saka but out of nothing, Abu gave up the ball. Yahaya showed to tap home into the yawning net, but Justice Blay store pitched his leg to block the finish from Yahaya.
That was the defining moment Abu had his career saved and the destiny of Hasaacas in hope.
That situation was more than jitters as the expression from the fans depicted an impending human casualties had the ball gone into their net. Justice Blay earned the full plaudits for his salvaging instinct which proved more important on the day the winner from Richmond Kojo Poku.