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| Ronald Numeyah in tears after Home Stars lost 3-1 in penalty shoot outs denying them qualification to Division 1 (photo credit: 442) |
Thousands of fans thronged the Ho Sports Stadium to catch a glimpse of a historic moment of football in the Volta Regional Division 2 middle league.
The qualification to the National Division One became a battle between Akatsi All Stars and Home Stars as both teams in high hopes of snatching the only slot for Volta Region.
Head coach Christian Chibueze made two changes with the return of Evans Ekoh into the team after missing out on the Sons of Thunder game due to a red card. Frank Agbana took the place of Ronald Numeyah in the starting line up with the 3-4-3 formation.
Home Stars got their antics wrong in the early stages of the game as Frank Agbana's attempts to connect with Julius Okoh upfront was fruitless, a move that forced Chibueze to an early substitution, bringing on Ronald Numeyah for Frank Agbana just 15' of play.
A resilient Akatsi All Stars played to the gallery as Home Stars kept attacking with the hope of scoring early in the first half. The 'Miator Miator' boys took over the game after 30' as they bossed the midfield with an insightful passes seeking for a goal but goal keeper Godswin Agbeko of Home Stars ensured a clean sheet is kept at half time.
After recess, all hopes were high as fans kept cheering on both teams who tried knocking at goal but to no avail.
Ronald Numeyah with a fine surge sent in a cross but found no one to connect after goal keeper Israel Ahiagbe failed to hold on to the ball.
Home Stars kept pressing in the second half to get a goal but all efforts went in vain as chances created failed to materialised
Referee after 5' additional time ended the game to make way for penalty shoot out.
Akatsi All Stars stole the moment as they managed a 3-1 penalty win against Home Stars who failed to take up their chances in the entire duration.
Akatsi All Stars having declared winners of the middle league play-off will represent Volta Region in the National Division One league come next season.
With the thousands of fans who gathered at the Ho Sports Stadium to cheer Home Stars were left in shock after seeing the Akatsi based team lift the trophy.