Bernard Mensah led from the front with an early goal as Al Nasr recorded a 2-0 victory over Al Ain in the first leg of the UAE League Cup semi-finals.
Bernard Mensah, the former Ghana midfielder, made an immediate impact by opening the scoring just five minutes into the game at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. He finished calmly after receiving a well-timed pass from Abdoulaye Touré, giving Al Nasr a dream start away from home.
Al Nasr maintained control for long periods and were rewarded again in the second half when Argentine forward Ramón Mierez scored in the 65th minute to extend the lead and confirm the win.
Despite the victory on the day, Al Nasr failed to progress to the final. A heavy 3-0 defeat in the first leg meant Al Ain advanced on aggregate, ending the cup journey for Mensah’s side.
Bernard Mensah was later withdrawn in the 82nd minute and replaced by Moussa N’Diaye after an influential performance in midfield. Since joining Al Nasr in August 2025, the experienced playmaker has featured regularly and continues to play an important role in the team.
The former Black Stars midfielder has now made ten appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring once. His current contract runs until the summer of 2027, as he continues his career in the UAE after retiring from international football.
