EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Jamal Arago excels in FK Drita win over FC Deçiç

Ghanaian defender Jamal Arago was at his usual best for his FK Drita side in the Europa Conference League on Thursday as they whipped FC Deçiç by 2-1.

The Ghanaian and his side will be going into the second leg of the encounter with an advantage and hope for a favourable outcome against the Montegro side.

Jamal put up a stupendous outing for Drita as they came from a goal down to snatch the 2-1 win at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Prishtina.

Ilir Camaj fired the visitors in front just 3 minutes into the game but Drita fought to restore parity on 11^th minute through Almir Ajzeraj.

The game went the break with both side’s at each other’s throat but it was Drita who had the best of the second half with Simonovski firing the winner on the 79^th minute after Arago put him through with a sumptuous cross.

A draw in Montenegro next Thursday will see Drita moving to the next stage of the competition where they will lock horns with Eredivisie side Feyenoord.

Arago has been a standout performer for his side in the league, playing various positions on the field including holding midfield and central defence.

The former Ghana U20 star managed to run away with 8 Man of the Match Awards and appearing in the Superliga Team of the Week on 6 occasions.

His incredible performance for his side, after 36 games in the league, shot them up on the table and pushed for the title in a photo finish with champions FC Prishtina.

The champions won the league with a two-point difference but FC Drita were compensated with a slot to the Europa Conference League.

The UEFA Europa Conference League competition is scheduled to run from the 2021–22 season, and will serve as the bottom level of the existing UEFA Europa League.

The competition will primarily be contested by teams from lower-ranked UEFA member associations.

No teams will qualify directly to the group stage, with 10 teams eliminated in the Europa League play-offs and the rest coming from the Europa Conference League qualifiers.

The teams which have finished 7th in the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A will enter the final qualifying round directly.

The winners of the competition are awarded a position in the Europa League the following season, unless they qualify for the Champions League.