Legend Abedi Pele guides Nania FC to MTN FA Cup final
Posted On Sunday, 12th June 2011
Abedi Pele (in blue top) being mobbed by his player
Second-tier side Nania FC caused a major upset on Sunday after eliminating Ghana Premier League champions Berekum Chelsea 7-5 in the MTN FA Cup semi-final.
Nania, coached by three-time African Footballer of Year and owner Abedi Pele, twice rallied to draw 2-2 after extra-time and goalkeeper Michael Sai converted his side’s fifth kick to hand them a historic final berth.
Berekum Chelsea opened the scoring in the 31st minute through Obed Owusu whose powerful strike beat goalkeeper Sai.
Five minutes later, Prince Baffoe converted a spot-kick to draw level.
Both sides pressed hard in the second half but could not find the back of the net in a meandering encounter.
Striker Bismark Idan scored a second half extra-time goal to give Berekum Chelsea a 1-2 lead.
Left-back Alfred Arthur charged into the Nania FC penalty box but his pile driver was deflected by a Nania defender.
Goalkeeper Saah made two unsuccessful attempts to parry it away and the ball dropped on the goal line only for Idan to tap in.
In the 122nd minute, Nania earned a free-kick from 20-yards and Prince Baffoe elected himself and curled home the equalizer.
Chelsea missed one spot-kick out of four and Nania FC converted all five kicks.
Nania FC will play the winner of the Asante Kotoko-Medeama/Sporting Mirren in the final.
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THIS TELLS YOU THE QUALITY OF OUR LEAGUE. LEAGUE CHAMPIONS BEATEN BY FIRST DIVISION TEAM. IF THIS IS THE TEAM THEY ARE TAKING TO AFRICA, THEN THEY BETTER FORGET. THIS IS NOT TO TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM NANIA. THEY DESERVED TO WIN.
This shows that Nyantekyi`s regime and Randy Abbey on the league is nothing to write home about,how can the league leaders not be able to beat Nania Fc in regulation time,shows that Abedi is a good coach.
@Truthisbitter a second tier club (Nania Fc) defeating a premier league club in a cup competition doesn’t mean the GFA is not efficient. Interestingly its a plus because it somehow shows how good our league is in that lower devisions can defeat champions or good clubs in the 1st tier. This happens all the time in the EPL with lesser clubs defeating Man Utd,Chelsea etc. However, Your point about Abedi being a good coach is right since he masterminded Berekum Chelsea’s defeat.
even in the English FA Cup, Man U was beaten by some obscure team
How is the score 7-5?
Please, next time open your eyes and ready stories before asking unnecessarily questions. The game ended 2-2 after 120 minutes. The teams played penalties afterwards, and Nania scored from all the 5 kicks whilst B. Chelsea scored only 3.
congrats nania… you proved a point
truthisbitter: Some of you are funny.Your reasons are lack substance.
And whats your own reasons……..if you dont have anything constructive dont look for faults in others opinions…its a forum and you are entitled to your views.lol
is normal that’s football for u,,
any way weldone to the nania fc
Goalkeeper Michael Sai is really a discovery at least for once a football player showed that with God everything is possible…after conceeding he prayed soo emotionally and i belive his prayer earned his team the place in the finals..Goodos GK…the most interesting match i have watched from Ghana
That is the FA cup for you.
omu tan wu kwa
this can even be a fix match…i dont trust this ghana legend and b.chelsea can leave it for them. this is ghana football for you where anything is possible..na waooo
Be positive for once. Why make allegations if you dont have substance. Is it because you dislike the Abedi?
Abedi and his Nania will even beat the so call Kotoko if they meet them in the finals