A game which looked to be the turning point of this year’s African campaign for Aduana Stars suddenly turned sour as the Ghanaian giants succumbed to a 2:0 home defeat to the visiting party, Asec Mimossa, on Sunday.
Goals from Gbagnon Anicet Badie and Willy Braciano Ta Bi in the first period of the game was enough to get the visitors the three maximum points and revive their hopes in qualifying to the knockout stage of the competition.
The results leave the only Ghanaian representation with no chances of advancing to the quarter final stage, though they are still left with a final matchday clash against Moroccan side Raja Casablanca in an away fixture on 29th August.
Aduana had to enter the game without key players,Yahaya Mohammed and fullback Justice Anane as well as injured duo Bright Adjei and goalkeeper Joseph Addo. Zakari Mumuni and Derick Sasraku were also absent, as they had left to pursue their careers abroad, while Anokye Badu had to sit out due to an resolved duping test failure.
It was with no surprise that Aduana struggled to get things done in what was supposed to be a must win fixture.
The travelling team had it’s share of absentees as striker, Ahmed Toure, was out due to injury. Yet, they shot into the lead in the 24th minute from a spot kick through Banie, after Farouk Adams fouled Zana Oumar Coulibaly in the box.
As Aduana tried to find a way back into the game, the visitors hushed Dormaa in the 35th minute counter attack as Braciano Ta Bi coolly twisted and turned and Aduana defender before looping the ball over goalkeeper Gordon Yeboah.
Aduana came close to pulling one back as Elvis Opoku’s header went wide while Sam Adams’ long range efforts yielded nothing.
Aduana Stars now lie bottom of the table with four point, four points behind second placed Raja Club and six points behind leaders Vita Club. Asec Mimossa moves to third place with six points.