Nsoatreman FC secured their first major silverware by emerging the 2023/24 winners of the MTN FA Cup following a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over regional rivals, Bofoakwa Tano after extra time ended 1-1 at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon on Sunday night.
Despite the early dominance of Nsoatreman in terms of possession, it was the recently relegated Bofoakwa who took the lead in the first half after a beautiful team move on the break, was finished off by Richard Dzikoev on 23 minutes.
Nsoatreman, led at the helm by vastly experienced Maxwell Konadu, staged a comeback in the second half and eventually earned the breakthrough with barely ten minutes left in regulation time when Sadat Mohammed’s powerful shot from outside the penalty box proved too hot to handle for Bofoakwa goalie, Emmanuel Kobi in the 79th minute.
The game headed into extra time of 30 minutes during which the two combatants could still not be separated, forcing the tie to be decided via the dreaded shootout from 12 yards.
Only the 4th taker for Bofoakwa missed, paving the way for 16-year-old whizz kid, Foster Apetorgbor to convert the winning kick to throw Nsoatreman into wilds scenes of delirium at the University Stadium.
The victory also ensures a maiden voyage into continental competition for the Bono side who will represent Ghana in next season’s CAF Confederations Cup.
