Kickoff (Cape Town)
25 August 2008
Sulley Muntari celebrated his first major trophy with Inter Milan as the Nerrazuri won the Italian Super Cup with an 8-7 penalty shoot out win over AS Roma.
The Ghanaian midfielder set Jose Mourinho's side on the path to victory with the opening goal in an entertaining game but Roma twice came back from behind to force penalties before Javier Zanneti blasted in the winner from the spot.
Inter's triumph, in the game between first and second from last season and with the two sides tipped to challenge for Serie A this season, had a distinct Ghanaian flavour about it too.
Muntari started in central midfield alongside Estaban Cambiaso. And on 18 minutes he opened the scoring reacting quickest as a Ibrahimovic's shot came off the Roma bar.
Muntari then drilled the ball home from inside the box to get Jose Mourinho pumping his fist in delight.
Muntari then had to work his socks off in the middle of the pack in a more defensive midfield role but Roma were back on level terms on the hour mark thanks to Danielle De Rossi's screamer.
Mario Ballotelli, the man the GFA is hoping will eventually commit to Ghana, then shot Inter back into the lead with a clever control and chip over Doni on 83 minutes. But Roma did not budge and drew level through a Stankovic goal deep in injury time.
Muntari stayed out of the penalty shootout after his miss in an earlier pre-season game.
After some brilliantly struck penalties from both sides, Stankovic hit Inter's third against the cross bar but Totti failed to make that count when he also struck the bar with the kick that would have won Roma the trophy.
Julio Cesear then saved from Juan before Zanetti hit the winner.
Muntari kissed the Inter badge in celebration but the bigger test begins next week when Inter begin their quest for a fourth Serie A title on the bounce.
Elsewhere in Europe, Michael Essien made his first start for Chelsea in their 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic. The Ghanaian passed a late fitness test and was named by Scolari in a midfield that also had Michael Ballack, Deco and Frank Lampard.
In France, Asamoah Gyan is still waiting for his first goal in French football but came on as a substitute in Rennes dramatic 2-1 win over Lille.
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