Accra Lions returned to winning form with an impressive 2-0 triumph over Bechem United at the Accra Sports Stadium, boosting their hopes of survival in the league.
After a lively but goalless first half, second-half strikes from Jacob Awoute and substitute Bernard Kesse sealed a deserved victory for the hosts.
The Lions started brightly, carving out several early chances. Salman Faris and Lucky Nwafor both came close, with Faris slipping at a crucial moment after being played through by Issa Ibrahim — a misfortune caused by the rain-soaked pitch.
Midway through the first half, Fuzy Taylor unleashed a powerful effort that deflected wide for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, Edmund Amakye found space but fired over the bar. Bechem United responded with threats of their own, as Ebenezer Abban and Boa-At Regain forced Accra Lions to stay alert towards the break.
Just before halftime, Yao Sokpoli nearly opened the scoring, connecting well to a Nwafor pass, but the chance went begging.
After the interval, Accra Lions wasted no time capitalizing on their momentum. Awoute, who had moments earlier missed a similar opportunity, made no mistake this time, burying a cross from Amakye to break the deadlock.
Bechem United immediately sought a response, launching a counterattack that saw Abban fire at close range, only for goalkeeper Daniel Afful to pull off a vital save.
Accra Lions kept pressing, with Amakye rattling the crossbar after a dazzling run down the left flank. Moments later, Sokpoli set up Nwafor, but Bechem’s Francis Acquah intervened to snuff out the danger.
Coach Rainer Kraft made two key substitutions, bringing on David Akintunde and Bernard Kesse for Yao Sokpoli and Salman Faris. The changes paid off almost instantly, as Kesse capped a flowing team move to double the Lions’ lead.
Bechem United thought they had found a lifeline when Abban nodded home from a free-kick, but their celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
Accra Lions maintained control in the closing stages, managing the game smartly to secure all three points and lift their survival hopes.
