Medeama SC missed the opportunity to take a giant leap towards the advancing to the the next stage of the competition thanks to a spirited performance by Young Africans.
Entertainment was not on the menu as both sides lacked intensity at the Baba Yara sports stadium, but Miguel Angel Gamondi men got the job done again in the end.
Johnathan Sowah gave the hosts the lead through the spot but Pacome Zouzoua equalised for the visitors before the interval.
Here are three we learned from the game.
It didn’t take long for intensity to drop for Augustine Evans Adotey's charges
Medeama started the game with great gusto, exerting their authority on their opponents, popping the ball around at speed and making Yanga do plenty running but failed to score to put the game beyond the Citizens during their best moments of the game with their attacking play fizzling out later in the game and almost got punished in a dramatic fashion in the dying embers of the game.
With the reverse fixture ahead, the Yellow and Mauves must play above themselves throughout the game to ensure victory against the Tanzanians. It looks cagey for Adotey but he’ll need to find a way to secure a good result in Tanzania if he is to have any chance at all of seeing his side in the knockout stage of the CAF Champions League.
Yanga played with no fear and took the game to Medeama
Playing against Medeama at the Baba Yara Sports stadium , it would have been understandable if Miguel Angel Gamondi's side to play within themselves. Instead of being overwhelmed, in Kumasi, the The Citizens found their feet straight away and set about quietening the few Medeama fans present.
The visitors passed the ball around with confidence and created a few chances; taking advantage of hosts' decision not to press high in the game; Pacome Zouzoua and Maxi Nzengeli were again linking up well and causing all sorts of problems.
Why Did Sowah start?
Granted a starting berth by Adotey, Johnathan Sowah who led the attack was expected top be a key figure in the Medeama team.
It couldn’t have gone any worse for the striker as it was clear he wasn’t fit from the outset. A mere passenger throughout the duration he lasted on the pitch, the Ghanaian champions might as well have played with ten men.
If he was fit, then his performance was dismal and if he was injured, it raises even more questions as to why he remained in the game for so long.
