1. Medeama’s second-half collapse has hurt them
Medeama has always looked good in the first half of their games in the CAF Champions League but turns to collapse in the second half. In the 3-0 defeat in Cairo against Al Ahly, Medeama had clear-cut chances in the first half but seemed lost entirely in the second half. The same situation happened in Dar es Salaam in the 3-0 defeat against Yanga.
On Friday against Al Ahly, it was all Medeama in the first half creating clear-cut chances but the Ghanaian minnows were ineffective in the second half and conceded very early at the commencement of the second half.
The total forgetfulness in the second half has let Medeama down in the CCL.
2. Oufa Shobeir is the apparent heir to Mohammed El Shenawy
When Marcel Koler was quizzed during the post-match conference on Al Ahly and Egypt’s secret about producing Grade A goalkeepers, Marcel Koller praised the team’s (Al Ahly) goalkeeper trainer.
“We have trained Shobeir for one and a half years. The goalkeeper’s trainer deserves praise. Shobeir is an important goalkeeper to us”, revealed Marcel Koller.
Egypt has produced great goalkeepers since the beginning of the new millennium as Essam El-Hadary, Mohammed El Shenawy, Ahmed El Shenawy, and Gabaski have all shown to the world that they are high-spec goalkeepers. Oufa Shobeir is the next big thing for Egypt in terms of goalkeeping.
Al Ahly must thank the young man for the wonderful performances in Algiers and Kumasi. Together, he has made over 8 clear saves which has helped secure qualification for the defending champions.
3. Jean Vital Ourega had a game he will never forget
It’s probably Vital’s worst performance in Medeama’s jersey. The Ivorian midfielder has been one of the brightest players in the CAF Champions League for Medeama but was lethargic in the make-or-break game against Al Ahly in Kumasi. The midfielder lost so many balls in the middle, his passes were not accurate and his ability to drive the ball through the middle was not allowed by Koller as El Solia and Emam Ashour were made to mark him. Jean Viral Ourega’s inability to dictate the game from midfield was a huge blow to Medeama as no one was able to link the midfield and attack as expected. 18-year-old Fordjour Azaria replaced the experienced Ivorian midfielder in the 57th minute.
4. Emam Ashour’s energy and pressing is insane
Signed from Midtjylland in Denmark in a deal worth €2.7m, the 26-year-old former Zamalek midfielder has shone in Al Ahly colours since his transfer in 2023. In the AFCON, one could see he is a midfielder who can run through the game without getting tired.
Emam Ashour was voted as the man of the match in Kumasi and he deserves it. The midfielder was everywhere on the Baba Yara pitch. He has the eye to win balls from opponents, his partnership with El Solia was excellent. This is a young man who can deliver Al Ahly their 12th title on the continent. Emam Ashour is maybe the next Ahmed Hassan as he offers a lot on the pitch.
4. Medeama’s wastefulness in goalscoring is alarming
In the 5 games played so far, the Mauve and Yellow have missed 12 clear-cut chances, per my checks. It happened in Cairo and Dar es Salaam. At the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, it has happened on so many occasions as the Ghanaian side has squandered chances upon chances. On Friday against Al Ahly, Bernadinho Tetteh and Daniel Lomotey each could have gotten a brace but were wasteful. How, will the departure of Sowah to Libya affect them in the Ghana Premier League? Diawisie Taylor has been signed to do the business for Medeama but the question is, is he capable of banging in the goals for the Mauve and Yellow?
5. Felix Kyei can solve Ghana’s goalkeeping crisis
Felix Kyei once again proved that he can be Ghana’s number-one goalkeeper. The Medeama shot-stopper has been excellent in the CAF Champions League for the struggling Mauve and Yellow as Kyei has stood out among his peers. He has been Medeama’s best player in the journey in Africa. His composer and ball-playing ability make him a wonderful goalkeeper who can save Ghana’s goalkeeping crisis.
The 20-year-old former Karela United goalkeeper has a bright future and Ghana must start monitoring him as he is one for the future. He was fearless against the Red Devils on Friday. His decisions were spot on and he has practised perfectly the sweeping role. His passes and calmness are incredible.
