The midfielder stole the headlines on Sunday as his impressive second debut aided the Hunters to record their highest-ever victory over Medeama
It took Augustine Okrah 2,706 days to score a goal for Bechem United as he marked his second debut in the 4-0 thrashing of Medeama in Ghana Premier League on Sunday.
The 28-year-old rejoined the Hunters last month after opting not to renew his contract with Asante Kotoko and he became an instant hit in front of familiar faces who once saw him making history in Ghana Premier League seven seasons ago.
Okrah, then a teenager, joined Bechem from Kotoko in 2013/14 season and guided the club who had then only qualified for their maiden participation in the top-flight to an enviable fifth place position with his goals to their best-ever finish.
Okrah scored an incredible 16 goals and provided eight assists that season to end up as the topscorer and was later adjudged the Best Player of the league.
However, after leaving Bechem and plying his trade in Sudan with Al Merriekh and Al Hilal, Smouha in Egypt and North East United FC in India, and winning several titles in the process, he later rejoined Kotoko two years ago.
And following the expiration of his contract in June, Okrah opted to make a short journey from Kumasi to Bechem amid several interest from outside Ghana including Raja Casablanca and from Ethiopia. His arrival brought a lot of excitements among the supporters of Bechem, especially those who were old enough to catch a glimpse of his deadly left foot and pace on the wings.
To those who were young back then, only had to move to the older generation to inquire from them what exactly happened several years ago.
Now, after seven years, four months and 27 days, Okrah was given a heroes welcome during his unveiling as he marked his second debut against Medeama in the first game of the 2021/22 season on Sunday.
It didn’t take him too long to feed Bechem supporters what they have missed about him. Although, Okrah isn’t too fast as he used to be as a teenager, his maturity and awareness are things that can be used to compensate for the loss.
After a slow start to the game against Medeama, Okrah was back in the groove, and Ignatius Osei-Fosu’s side were unable to contain his very obvious threat.
He set up the first goal by the 14th minute after assisting Emmanuel Avornyo to score his debut Premier League goal for Bechem before Francis Twene added another goal to make it 2-0.
After the break, Okrah went past two defenders and unselfishly laid the ball to Avornyo to score another goal – making it a brace Avornyo and two assists for Okrah. The excitement grew further when, few minutes before full time, as signs of the big moment was nigh. He scored an incredible goal which could even vie for goal of the season.
It was a counterattack from Bechem and after Medeama defender Vincent Atinga failed to perfectly clear the ball from danger, Okrah sent in a long range volley to beat goalkeeper Dacosta Owusu Ansah Jnr, who was off his line. The stadium erupted; “the legendary Okrah has indeed arrived and only injuries would deny him of a great season,” some of the supporters insisted
The last time Okrah scored a goal for Bechem United prior to yesterday’s game was on June 4, 2014. It was the final day of the 2013/14 season against Amidaus Professionals and Okrah was battling Kotoko’s Seidu Bancey for the goal king diadem. The duo were tied on 12 games with two games remaining.
However, Okrah netted a hat-trick at home against Medeama in the penultimate game of the season before scoring one goal on the final day at the Tema Sports Stadium to clinch the award as Bancey failed to find the back of the net in the two games.
Ghana Premier League is back and Okrah has had a flying start as Bechem are now leading the log. They will travel to Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi next weekend to face second placed Asante Kotoko, who also won 3-1 away over Dreams FC, in the top of the table clash. #OkrahMagic
