In a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, Kwame Peprah emerged as Kerala Blasters’ unlikely hero, scoring a late winner to give his side a dramatic 2-1 victory over East Bengal FC. 

After spending much of last season sidelined by injury and overshadowed by top scorer Dimitrios Diamantakos, the young Ghanaian stole the spotlight, helping his team secure their first win of the season.

Peprah’s contribution was all the more remarkable given that he had only entered the fray 13 minutes earlier, coming on as a substitute for the team’s star forward, Jesus Jimenez Nunez. The 23-year-old wasted no time making an impact, scoring what would be the decisive goal in the 88th minute.

The winning moment unfolded in dramatic fashion. Rahul K.P., who had been a constant threat down the left flank, sent a teasing cross into the box. Anwar Ali of East Bengal looked set to clear the danger, but Kerala’s Aimen took advantage with a clever slide tackle, redirecting the ball into Peprah’s path. The Ghanaian striker seized the opportunity, blasting the ball into the net with his left foot, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.

The match had started with a high tempo, as both teams were eager to bounce back after disappointing results in their previous outings. Kerala Blasters were especially eager to prove their mettle after a lackluster performance in their season-opener against Punjab FC. Mikael Stahre, Kerala’s head coach, had promised a more attacking approach, and his side delivered a much livelier performance this time around.

East Bengal, buoyed by the form of their key forward Dimitrios Diamantakos, also posed a constant threat. Despite being closely marked, Diamantakos showed his quality, often finding space to create dangerous opportunities. In the 59th minute, the Greek striker’s vision and awareness led to East Bengal’s opening goal. Dribbling into the box, Diamantakos wrong-footed Kerala’s goalkeeper Sachin Suresh with a deft cross to P. V. Vishnu, who calmly slotted the ball into the net.

East Bengal’s lead, however, was short-lived. Just four minutes after Vishnu’s opener, Kerala Blasters found their equalizer through Noah Sadaoui, the recent Durand Cup Golden Boot winner. The Moroccan forward showed exactly why he had earned that accolade, charging down the left wing and weaving past a defender before curling a perfectly placed shot into the far corner. His goal, coming at a crucial moment, shifted the momentum back in Kerala’s favor.

For Kwame Peprah, the winning goal marked a sweet moment of redemption. After struggling with injuries last season and playing second fiddle to Diamantakos, Peprah proved his worth with a decisive performance. His strike not only gave Kerala their first victory of the season but also hinted at the potential for him to play a more prominent role in the campaign ahead.

Speaking after the match, Peprah expressed his delight at getting on the scoresheet. “It’s been a tough time for me, but I’m glad I could help the team today. We worked hard, and I’m happy to be part of this important win,” he said.

The victory will give Kerala Blasters a much-needed confidence boost as they look to build momentum in the coming matches. Mikael Stahre, pleased with his side’s response after the disappointing season opener, praised the team’s resilience and attacking intent. “We showed good character today, and that’s what we need to keep doing. It was a lively game, and we kept pushing till the end. I’m proud of the boys for their effort,” Stahre commented.

East Bengal, despite the loss, showed flashes of their potential, particularly through Diamantakos and Vishnu’s attacking play. Head coach Carles Cuadrat will no doubt be disappointed with the result but will take heart from his team’s ability to compete in what was a fiercely contested match.

For Kerala Blasters, the focus now shifts to maintaining this winning momentum as they aim to climb the ISL table. With players like Peprah stepping up and Sadaoui continuing his fine form, the team looks set to pose a serious challenge to their rivals in the matches ahead.