Ghanaian football has achieved a remarkable milestone as two of its prominent clubs, Medeama SC and Dreams FC, have secured qualification to the group stage of their respective CAF inter club competitions.
This achievement marks the end of a 16-year gap since two Ghanaian clubs simultaneously reached the group stage.
Medeama SC’s journey in the CAF Champions League was solidified with a ticket to the group stage despite a 2-1 loss to Guinea’s AC Horoya in the second leg of the second round qualifiers.
Their historic feat, becoming the first Ghanaian side to reach the group stage since the 2012/13 season, was sealed with a 4-3 aggregate score over two legs. They had initially triumphed 3-1 in Cape Coast a fortnight ago.
Jonathan Sowah made an early impact, securing a lead for Medeama SC in the 24th minute through a well-placed spot kick. Although Mandela Ocansey equalized for
Horoya with a fine finish just two minutes later, the Ghanaian side displayed resilience. Despite conceding a second goal to Horoya in the 76th minute, Medeama SC held their discipline and secured their historic advancement.
Their journey began with a 1-0 victory over Nigerian side Remo Stars, and despite losing by the same margin in the return leg, they qualified on penalty shootouts.
In the second-tier competition, Dreams FC drew 1-1 with Kallon Stars of Sierra Leone, progressing with a 3-2 aggregate score following a 2-1 win in Accra two weeks earlier. Agyenim Boateng Mensah gave Dreams FC an early advantage, converting a penalty in the 4th minute.
While Kallon FC managed to secure a late equalizer, Dreams FC’s determined efforts ensured their first-ever group stage appearance in their inaugural Confederation Cup campaign.
Their journey included eliminating Milo FC in the first round with a 1-1 draw in Conakry before staging a comeback victory with a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium.
This historic achievement signifies the revival of Ghanaian football, with two clubs simultaneously reaching the group stage of CAF competitions for the first time since 2006 when both Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko participated in the group stage of the CAF Champions League.
