In what was ultimately a battle of Ghana strikers, Emmanuel Clottey gained the upper hand over national team skipper Asamoah Gyan in a top-flight game in the United Arab Emirates on Friday.
Clottey netted a hat-trick after joining the fray at the start of the second half to help hosts Al Dhafra to a 4:3 victory over visitors Al Ain, despite a late brace by Gyan.
Brazilian winger Michel Bastos gave Al Ain a ninth minute lead which held until the break. The introduction of the former Esperance and Berekum Chelsea hitman Emmanuel Clottey at the start of the second half however changed the game.
The 26-year old netted in the 54th and 62nd minutes to give Al Dhafra the lead and Senegalese team-mate Makhete Diop doubled the advantagee six minutes later.
Asamoah Gyan then scored twice in the 72nd and 75th minutes to level proceedings, but Clottey had the last laugh when he netted the winner six minutes from time.
It is the second straight brace for Gyan, who now has four goals from three matches, while Clottey's goals were his first of the season.
The development will make good news for Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah as he prepares for the first leg of his side's World Cup qualifying tie with Egypt next month.
In another game, Senegalese striker André Koupuleni Senghor netted his second of the season in Al Wasl's 4-1 away win over Al Shaab.
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