Nigeria and Ghana showcased their talents in the USA MLS as Kwadwo Mahala Opuko and Chinonso Offor played pivotal roles in their team's impressive win.
In an exciting match on Saturday night at Saputo Stadium, the USA MLS club CF Montreal secured a 2-0 victory over visiting Charlotte FC, ending their streak of 451 goalless minutes.
💙#CFMTL | Présenté par @BMOfr pic.twitter.com/g9In0PDmiJ
— CF MontrĂ©al (@cfmontreal) July 16, 2023
The match saw standout performances from African strikers Opuko and Offor, who both found the back of the net to seal the win for Montreal.
African talent on show in USA MLS
The game began with Charlotte having an early opportunity to take the lead from a corner in the first minute. However, their attempted header narrowly missed the target, setting the stage for Montreal's dominance.
In the 29th minute, Black Stars' Kwadwo Mahala Opuko, playing in only his second match for CF Montreal, broke the deadlock and opened the scoring. Aaron Herrera initiated the attack by advancing the ball from midfield into the attacking third and delivering a well-placed pass into the box for Bryce Duke.
Duke then found Chinonso Offor, whose shot from the right side was initially saved by Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina. However, the rebound fell perfectly to Opuko, who calmly tapped the ball into the net.
📢Mahala Opoku📢
Allez Montréal!#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/rzCAR7Cph0
— CF MontrĂ©al (@cfmontreal) July 16, 2023
This goal marked Opuko's first for CF Montreal and ended the team's scoring drought since their 1-0 victory over Nashville SC on June 21.
Un premier but important pour @Mahala_jnr đź‘Š
That first one meant a lot đź’™#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/Rh4UpuWRxw
— CF MontrĂ©al (@cfmontreal) July 16, 2023
Opuko's goal served as a catalyst for CF Montreal, and just two minutes later, Super Eagles' Offor extended the team's lead.
Joel Waterman, displaying impressive vision, launched a long ball from deep within the defensive end. Offor, utilizing his speed and skill, outpaced the Charlotte defenders, reaching the ball before Kahlina, the opposing goalkeeper.
Offor's composure and precision allowed him to slot the ball into the net, securing his team-leading fourth goal of the season and pushing the scoreline to 2-0 in favour of Montreal.
Chinonso Offor qui double la marque đź‘Š#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/nFYSgaelF5
— CF MontrĂ©al (@cfmontreal) July 16, 2023
The triumph highlighted the impact of the Nigerian and Ghanaian strikers, Opuko and Offor, who played a crucial role in ending Montreal's goal drought.
Opuko's presence in the box and ability to capitalize on rebounds provided Montreal desperately needed breakthrough, while Offor's speed and clinical finishing secured the team's second goal.
Montreal look to build momentum in USA MLSÂ
The victory brought a sense of relief to the USA MLS club, as it ended their goalless run that spanned over four matches. The team had struggled to find the back of the net in recent games, but the combination of Opuko and Offor provided the much-needed firepower on this occasion.
For Charlotte FC, the defeat marked the end of their five-match unbeaten streak, during which they had secured five consecutive draws. Despite having an early chance through a corner kick, Charlotte failed to capitalize on their opportunities and were ultimately overwhelmed by Montreal's attacking prowess.
CF Montreal's record now stands at 9-12-2, accumulating 29 points in the season so far. They will look to build on this victory and carry the momentum into their upcoming matches, aiming to climb the ranks in the highly competitive league.
With their strikers finding their form, the team will look to build on this victory and continue their pursuit of success in the USA MLS.
The performances of Opuko and Offor showcased the immense talent and potential that exists within the African football scene. Their contributions were pivotal in CF Montreal's triumph and demonstrated the impact that players from Nigeria and Ghana can have on the global stage.
As the season progresses, fans will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Opuko and Offor in the USA MLS, hoping to witness more spectacular moments from these rising stars. Their exploits serve as a testament to the growing influence and reputation of African players in the world of football.
CF Montreal will now enter the Leagues Cup with their first scheduled group stage game against Pumas UNAM from Mexico on July 22nd in Montreal.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
