On the third time of asking, Aduana Stars registered their first three points of the Caf Confederation Cup group stage with a 2-1 home victory over Congolese giants AS Vita Club on Wednesday.
Ngonda Muzinga scored for the visitors but goals from Bright Adjei and veteran Yahaya Mohammed at the Agyeman Badu Stadium secured all three points for the Ghanaian champions.
Having lost 1-0 to Ivorian club Asec Mimosas in their Group A opener and settled for a 3-3 draw with Moroccan side Raja Casablanca, Aduana were in dire need of three points to promptly turn their ailing campaign around.
New coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi turned to the likes of the experienced Yahaya, centre-back Paul Aidoo, Adjei and the enterprising Zakaria Mumuni for the breakthrough.
Vita, on the other hand, set sights on full points to consolidate their lead at the top of the log, after holding Raja to a scoreless stalemate on matchday one ahead of a 3-1 home thrashing of Asec.
Makwekwe Kupa, Mukoko Tonombe and Makusu Mundele all found places in coach Jean-Florent Ibenge’s starting XI.
It did not take long for the home side to break the deadlock in Dormaa as Yahaya set up Adjei to put the ball at the back of the net on just three minutes.
Seven minutes later, Aduana went 2-0 up through Yahaya, whose head connected to Caleb Amankwah’s cross to plant the ball into the twine.
Vita then had their first chance but Ducapel Moloko’s shot only found the side net.
The Dolphins would, however, not be denied in the 26th minute. A free-kick outside the box was rolled to Muzinga, whose low shot deceived Aduana’s wall before taking an awkward bounce to beat goalkeeper Joseph Addo into the net.
Back from recess, both sides had chances to change the score but a series of misses ultimately left the score at 2-1, much to the delight of the home fans.
Aduana momentarily move joint-top of the table with Vita, a stance that could change by the result in the other group game between Raja and Asec.
The Fire Boys return to action on July 29 when they travel to Congo for Wednesday’s return fixture.
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