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Parliament XI, a team primarily composed of Members of Parliament, defeated the Black Stars Legends, a team of former national footballers, 3-1 in the curtain-raiser of the Democracy Cup held on July 17, 2024, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The victory was secured by Hamza Ibrahim’s second-half brace, following Sulley Muntari’s free kick that had cancelled out Patrick Boakye-Yiadom’s first-half opener. Boakye-Yiadom, the Member of Parliament for Obuasi East, scored from close range past Richard Kingson, giving Parliament XI the lead.
First Half Highlights
Parliamentarians dominated the first half, creating better opportunities despite both sides showing little interest in defense. Parliament XI, featuring Yusuf Jajah, Stephen Amoah, and Haruna Iddrisu, took the lead when Boakye-Yiadom scored. Haruna Iddrisu had an earlier lobbed effort ruled offside, and John Paintsil made a goal-line clearance to save the Legends.
Halftime Exhibition
A 15-minute exhibition match between staff and female Members of Parliament took place during halftime.
Second Half Highlights
The Black Stars Legends made several changes after the break, bringing on Laryea Kingston, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Baidoo, Fatau Dauda, and Ibrahim Tanko. They dominated the early stages of the second half, with Derek Boateng being dispossessed when through on goal.
Key Moments
Centre referee Sophia Azumah, leading an all-female refereeing crew, denied the Legends a penalty after Agyeman Badu was felled. The Legends equalized in the 72nd minute when Muntari expertly converted a free kick after Badu was fouled.
Late Drama
With time running out, Hamza Ibrahim regained the lead for Parliament XI in the 85th minute by beating the offside trap and scoring past Dauda. Muntari’s close-range effort in the 89th minute was disallowed for offside, and he missed another chance in the 90th minute. Hamza Ibrahim sealed the upset in added time with a lob over Dauda.
The exciting match was part of the celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of Ghana’s Parliamentary Democracy.
