Hosts Dichemso took every advantage provided by home turf to run away with top spot as the 2023 MTN AshantiFest Community Soccer tournament made it’s stop in Zone B on match week 2 of the ongoing 16-team competition.
It came the hard way though as despite playing in front of their fans at the Dichemso Otumfour Park, Ashtown frustrated them to a goalless stalemate in the opening game of day one last Thursday, June 22.
Dichemso however went on rampage in their second game same day, becoming the first side to score three goals in a single game this season by thrashing Aboabo 3-1 on the goals of Lizarazu, Ramos and Iron. Muntari netted Aboabo’s consolation.
Lizarazu was once again among the scorers in Dichemso’s 2-2 draw with Krofrom on Friday which proved enough for them to total 5 points and grab first place in Zone B by the tightest of margins, only edging runner-up Ashtown via a superior goal difference, +3 to +2.
Ashtown which also thus sealed qualification to the quarter final stage of the 2-month tournament, did beat Krofrom 1-0 in their second game on Friday, Atta Malagwe’s strike enough to earn their only victory of the competition. It ensured that their 1-1 deadlock against Aboabo in the final game of the group gave them the point needed to claim second place.
Aboabo had no choice than to rue missing qualification as they fell just a point short of the top two. Their match day one 1-0 win over Krofrom and draw with Aboabo’s resultant four points couldn’t salvage their hopes as the loss to winners Dichemso proved decisive.
Rock bottom Krofrom made sure they ended the campaign in dignity after holding the Dichemso table toppers to a 2-2 draw in their final game, having lost to both Aboabo and Ashtown.
Dichemso and Ashtown join Ejisu and Amakom as confirmed quarter finalists of the 2023 MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer tournament, with the identity of the remaining four set to be settled when the two remaining zones settle their scores in the next two weekends.
Zone C comprising defending champions, Tafo against Bantama, Suame and Abrepo get the action underway at the State Girls Kokoase Park in Abrepo this Friday, June 30 through the next day, Saturday, July 1.
Meanwhile, Adum, Santasi, Kwadaso and Atonso remain on standby to battle for the two slots in Zone D come the weekend of July 7-8 at the Atonsu Astro Turf Park.
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