VIDEO: Parliament XI Beats Black Stars Legends in Democracy Cup Curtain-raiser

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 courtesy 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 is the Member of Parliament for Obuasi East.

The exciting match was part of the celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of Ghana’s unterrupted Parliamentary Democracy.

The Parliamentarians dominated the first half, creating better opportunities despite both sides appearing disinterested in defence and employing high offside lines. Parliament XI, featuring Yusuf Jajah, Stephen Amoah, and Haruna Iddrisu, took the lead midway through the first half when Boakye-Yiadom scored from close range past Richard Kingson.

Earlier, Parliament had come close to scoring twice, with Tamle-South MP Haruna Iddrisu’s lobbed effort ruled offside and John Paintsil making a goal-line clearance to save the Legends.

A 15-minute exhibition match between staff and female Members of Parliament took place during halftime.

After the break, the Black Stars Legends made several changes, bringing on Laryea Kingston, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Baidoo, Fatau Dauda, and Ibrahim Tanko. This led to the legends dominating the early stages of the second half, with Derek Boateng being dispossessed when through on goal.

Centre referee Sophia Azumah, leading an all-female refereeing crew including assistants Angela Tsakpoe and Blessing Abena Oppong, and fourth official Cynthia Yaa Mensah, denied the legends a penalty after Agyeman Badu was felled, sparking much protest from the Legends and spectators alike. Azumah, a product of the GFA’s Catch Them Young refereeing policy, maintained her decision despite protests on the pitch led by former Inter Milan star Muntari.

The Black Stars Legends equalised in the 72nd minute when Muntari expertly converted a free kick after Badu was fouled outside the penalty box.

With time running out, Parliament XI regained the lead in the 85th minute when Hamza Ibrahim beat the offside trap and rounded Fatau Dauda before slotting into an empty net. The Legends nearly equalised in the 89th minute, but Muntari’s close-range effort was disallowed for offside. Muntari missed another chance in the 90th minute, firing wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Hamza Ibrahim completed the upset in added time, expertly lobbing Legends goalie Dauda after being played through.

Watch highlights of the match below;