Asante Kotoko on Sunday dismissed Nungua based Danbort FC in their round of 64 MTN FA Cup encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Three first half goals by Man of the Match Ahmed Toure, Nathaniel Asamoah and Michael Akuffu were all the Porcupine Warriors needed to call the bluff of the second division side who showed little signs of brilliance in attack.

It was Kotoko that seemed determined to clinch a win and it took them only two minutes to jump into the lead when Ahmed Toure connected home a Michael Akuffu free kick from the right inside the visitors’ territory.

Ahmed Toure was hovering around the goal area, and just when the ball was floated he soared above all in the six-yard box to majestically head the ball into the net.

That goal unsettled the visitors who for a moment resorted to rough tackles as if to intimidate the Porcupines.

Nathaniel Asamoah added the second goal in the 37th minute by also connecting to a perfect pass from Frank Boateng on the left side of attack.

The pass was timely and while in the box, the well positioned Nathaniel Asamoah beautifully turned with the ball and shot accurately on target within a split second.

Kotoko was on winning path but the work was not complete yet. Michael Akuffu made it 3-0 two minutes later as he neatly converted a penalty kick fairly awarded to Kotoko after defender Vincent Agbenyegah interestingly caught the ball to save a sticky situation.

The unmistakable confidence displayed by Michael Akuffu was well applauded by the supporters. The Porcupines could have made it 4-0 and even 5-0 but they were twice denied by the goal post.

Overall, it was another good show by Coach Bogdan Korak and his team.

It has to be said however the team still has to work hard to reach that fantastic form many of their followers want to see them. Danbort FC were at times hard on Kotoko and Frank Boateng was the most victimised Kotoko player, and considering the senseless nature of some of the tackles, it took Referee Sylvester Doku too long to stamp his authority on the game.

When he finally did, it was defender Seidu Mohammed of Danbort FC who first entered his caution book in the 12th minute.

Pressure was brought to bear on the visitors by the Ahmed Toure-Nathaniel Asamoah led attack, creating tense and difficult moments for the young and energetic Danbort team. With Coach Bogdan Korak fielding virtually his regular players, the experience and intelligence displayed by Kotoko was too much for the visitors to contain.

Although he was substituted for the first time since signing for the club, Yaw Frimpong played well. He often joined the attack and once weaved through a thick cluster of legs only to miss the target narrowly when he shot from the edge of the box. 

The sparsely seated Kotoko supporters cheered that brilliant display of talent and the applause grew big when Stephen Oduro came on.

Whereas goalkeeper George Arthur maintained his composure in post and occasionally organised his defence comprising Yaw Frimpong, Gershon Akuffo, Ohene Brenya and Prince Anokye, Afranie Yeboah and Fatawu Mohammed worked tirelessly in midfield.

They tackled well and foiled most dangerous moves by Danbort FC. Frank Boateng’s contributions in the middle were as well positive yet the shine that was seen in his performance in his first few matches for Kotoko was missing last Sunday as he lost the ball easily sometimes.

Three substitutions in the second half by Bogdan Korak worked, as it brought a lot of excitement to the stadium although no goals were scored.

Stephen Oduro once again proved beyond reasonable doubt that he still possesses what it takes to feature prominently in Kotoko matches with his exceptionally accurate passes and movements on the pitch.

A fourth or fifth goal would have been savoured by the fans but Stephen Oduro’s deft touches aside the three goals were enough to keep the supporters in cheerful mood after the end of proceedings.

Kotoko line-up: George Arthur, Yaw Frimpong/Prince Boateng, Gershon Akuffo, Ohene Brenya, Prince Anokye, Afranie Yeboah, Fatawu Mohammed, Michael Akuffu/Stephen Oduro, Frank Boateng/Albert Bruce, Ahmed Toure, Nathaniel Asamoah.