By: Bernard Nyankomago Yeboah

Date: 04-05-11

After controversially calling off the game on Monday which many people thought could have continued to the end notwithstanding the downpour at a point in time, Wa based referee Yakubu Liman and his Assistants did everything possible to ensure that Heart of Lions drew 2-2 with Asante Kotoko last Tuesday at the Kpando Park.

Not only did he turn a blind eye on Gilbert Fiamenyo equalizer, which bounced-off his hand before hitting the back of the net in the 78^th minute but also took many strange decisions against Kotoko throughout the game.

The most astonishing of it all came in the 82^nd minute where he denied striker Ahmed Toure a goal scoring opportunity when it was obvious that the player was not in an offside position.

Besides allowing many cynical tackles in the game, the Kotoko players on most occasions were at the receiving end.

It was no wonder most Kotoko supporters who thronged the stadium on the afternoon kept screaming in disapproval of bias officiating during the course of the game.

A cross section of them who spoke to the paper after the game complained bitterly about the abysmal performance exhibited by the match officials on the day.

“This referee is indeed a bad example for Ghana football. He showed right from the first game on Monday that he has some bad intentions against Kotoko. He awarded all the 50-50 balls in favour of Heart of Lions. Even Gilbert Fiamenyo’s equalizer was not a good goal because the ball hit his hand before entering the net” a fan who gave his name as Nana Banafo said.

Indeed the Lions-Kotoko game was going to be a tough battle taking into accounts that both sides needed the maximum points at stake to enhance their positions in the Glo Premier League. While Kotoko needed it to entrench their second position on the log, the Kpando based team also needed it to ease their relegation worries.

It was therefore not surprising that both sides gave their all on the afternoon. Kotoko appeared on the field with their notable away strip; white dominated jersey with red markings over white shorts and white hose. Heart of Lions, the home team also wore purple dominated jersey with blue markings over blue shorts.

Just like in the first game that was rained-off, both sides maintained the same selection and same position on the field but attendance was not very impressive this time round. There were slight showers prior to kick off. As soon as referee Liman blew his whistle to begin proceedings, two gun shots were fired outside the Park as it did happen in the second half of the first game on Monday.

Supporters of Heart of Lions greeted it with cheers. One of them told this reporter that the gunshots indicate that Heart of Lions would win by two goals margin.

But in the end they had to fight from behind on two occasions to share spoils with the Porcupine Warriors.

Nathaniel Asamoah drew first blood for Kotoko in the 2^nd minute after Goalkeeper Joseph Addo had failed to grab Michael Akuffu’s corner kick.

The goal urged Kotoko on in search of more goals. They started to pile pressure on their opponents. In one of their moves in the 4th minute, Ahmed Toure gave a nice pass to Nathaniel Asamoah but Goalkeeper Joseph Addo denied him the opportunity to make it two for Kotoko.  

When it became evident that Kotoko really meant business, the Kpando boys lifted up their game and started to rely on counter attacks. Gladson Awako made two incursions in the 10^th and 14^th minute but his shots unfortunately went over the post.

The game from this stage became a ding-dong affair. Ahmed Toure received a yellow card in the 38^th minute for fouling Danladi Sherrif but the card had no adverse effect on him as he kept tormenting his opponents until the final whistle.

The Kpando boys enjoyed a lion’s share of play in the dying embers of the first half, however, Yaw Frimpong, Prince Anokye, Awal Mohammed and John Kuffour formed an iron clad defence at the back and blocked all the moves by the Lions attacking duo of Gilbert Fiamenyo and Daniel Bonsu.

Skipper Godfred Rockson and his colleagues came back strongly after recess to search for the equalizer. Their effort was paid off in the 49^th minute courtesy Dan Bonsu who connected home a cross from Gladson Awako.

Mike Akuffu, Nii Adjei, Frank Boateng and Fatawu Mohammed were also strong in the midfield. Nii Adjei operated from the right flanks but he gave good accounts of himself with accurate passes and crosses.

When Coach Korak realized at a point in time that Godfred Rockson, Ofosu Amoah and Gladson Awako had taken control of the midfield, he brought in Sabato Mohammed and Afranie Yeboah for Nii Adjei and Fatawu Mohammed respectively. Their inclusion brought some urgency into the team.

In the 69^th minute, Nathaniel Asamoah received a through pass from Frank Boateng in the midfield. He showed great skills, pace and foot works to outwit four opponents before firing powerfully into the top left corner to register Kotoko’s second goal of the afternoon.

The spectacular goal which happened to be his 12^th in the season sent the fans on their feet.

Undaunted by the results, Heart of Lions fought hard and equalized 13 minutes later through Gilbert Fiamenyo. The goal created heated arguments among supporters at the stadium as the ball hit the hand of Fiamenyo before hitting the back of the net.

Coach Korak and his boys put in a strenuous effort to seek the match winner but all their attempts hit a snag.

Kotoko line: Isaac Amoako, Yaw Frimpong, Prince Anokye, John Kuffour, Awal Mohammed/Ohene Brenya, Michael Akuffu, Nii Adjei/Sabato Mohammed, Frank Boateng, Ahmed Toure, Nathaniel Asamoah, Fatawu Mohammed/Afranie Yeboah.

Unused substitutes: George Arthur, Samed Oppong, Alex Asamoah and Stephen.

Heart of Lions line-up: Joseph Addo, Emmanuel Anaafi, Emmanuel Ayiron, Danladi Sherrif, Godfred Rockson, Godfred Asante/Avor Prosper, Ofosu Amoah, Gladson Awako, Gilbert Fiamenyo, Dan Bonsu and Opoku Afriyie/Bright Nsiah.

Unused substitute: Abeiku Adams, Asiama Badu, Ezekiel Tetteh, Abbey Absalom and Aziz Mustapha.