By: Bernard Nyankomago-Yeboah

Date: 04-07-11

Coach Bogdan Korak and his technical staff have given the assurance that last Friday’s controversial defeat to Berekum Chelsea in the President’s Cup at the Ohene Djan Stadium would have no negative impact on Kumasi Asante Kotoko as they battle Wa All Stars on Wednesday at the MTN FA Cup semi finals match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

According to Technical Advisor Malik Jabir, both the technical and playing staff have put the nightmarish experience behind them and are focusing on the big game tomorrow which he described as very dear to their hearts.

“The manner we lost the President’s Cup was very painful but I don’t think it will have any adverse effect on the team in tomorrow’s FA Cup match. We have prepared the boys well physically and psychologically. I know our hard preparations will pay off tomorrow” Malik said in an interview with Kotoko Express on Sunday.

The Porcupine Warriors on Friday put up a brave performance against Berekum Chelsea at the Ohene Djan Stadium in a bid to clinch the President’s Cup for the third time, having won it in 2005 and 2008 to show appreciation to their teeming supporters for their wonderful support throughout the 2010/11 football season.

However, bad refereeing by Referee Awal Mohammed and his assistants, A.S Malik and Tanko Ganiyu robbed the team of the prestigious trophy in the presence of Vice President John Dramani Mahama, GFA President Kwasi Nyantakyi as well as other dignitaries at the stadium to watch this special Republic Day event.

The Tamale based referee persistently took many strange decisions against Kotoko in regulation time which ended 2-2. In the penalty shoot-out the referee on two occasions ordered Chelsea’s Yaw Alexander and Alfred Arthur to re-take their penalty kicks after both players had missed their kicks. His reasons were that the Kotoko goalie had moved before the kicks were taken on both occasions... 

Yaw Alexander’s kick was saved by Goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye while Alfred Arthur’s kick hit the cross bar. Both players scored this time round.

This bias and contentious decision by Awal Mohammed nearly compelled Kotoko to abandon the rest of the penalty kicks but team officials managed to convince the players to continue play. Obviously frustrated by the actions of Referee Awal it was no surprise that Prince Anokye missed the 7^th kick. It was saved by Goalkeeper Ernest Sowah. Adams Ahmed scored the final penalty kick to seal victory for Chelsea.

Kotoko supporters left the stadium very angry and disappointed. Most of them slammed referee Awal for exposing his hatred against Kotoko by the dubious and unprofessional manner he handled the game.

“I am surprised Awal Mohammed calls himself a professional referee. In fact his performance today is a total disgrace to Ghana football. I think it will be better if he stops refereeing because he has shown a lot of ignorance about the laws of the game” a popular Kotoko serial caller, Seidu Adams popularly known as Dr. Sika Asem said.

The game started at exactly 4pm with quite a good attendance dominated by Kotoko fans in red colours.

Coach Korak made some changes in his regular set up. Prince Anokye replaced Awal Mohammed in the central defence while David Offei also took over the position of Michael Akuffu in the midfield. Though Offei did not see much playing time in the league, his total contribution to Kotoko on the day was quite okay. He had effective collaboration with Nii Adjei, Frank Boateng and Haruna Ganiyu in the midfield.

Prince Anokye on the other hand found it tough at the back in most instances. There was poor communication between him and John Kuffour at the central defence. That caused Kotoko the two goals on the afternoon. As for the attack, it was very potent. Ahmed Toure and Alex Asamoah did very well upfront.

Their combination in the first half was a delight to watch. In one of their moves Ahmed Toure delivered a perfect carpet cross from the flanks to Alex Asamoah. He made no mistake and tapped in the ball to register the first goal for Kotoko in the 19^th minute. This was after Referee Awal had disallowed a similar goal by Alex Asamoah in the 12th minute claiming that he scored from an offside position.

Chelsea fought hard and equalized just three minutes later through Gladson Awako. He capitalized on a sloppy defence and headed home the ball after it had hit the cross bar. Bismark Idan made it two for Chelsea in the 38^th minute. It was a goal mouth melee and Idan who was left unmarked by the Kotoko defence connected home for his side.

Kotoko lifted their game after conceding the second goal but failed to utilize the few chances that came their way. Frank Boateng received yellow card in the 40^th minute for foul play on Bismark Idan. Gladson Awako was also booked prior to the start of the game for challenging the referees order to remove a white bandage used to tighten his blue hose.

Kotoko came back strongly on resumption in search of the equalizer. Coach Korak brought in Fatawu Mohammed, Nathaniel Asamoah and Stephen for Haruna Ganiyu, Alex Asamoah and David Offei respectively at this stage. Chelsea’s Coach Abubakar also brought in Moro Awudu and Abdul Basit for Obed Owusu and Bismark Idan.

The inclusion of Fatawu and co brought total changes into the game. But most of their efforts were thwarted by the referee who persistently ruled all the 50-50 balls in favour of Chelsea.

In the 54^th minute for instance, Edward Kpodo denied Fatawu Mohammed a clear goal scoring opportunity when he brought him down in the 18 yard box. Surprisingly the referee turned a blind eye to the offence. That scandalous decision by the referee however did not discourage Fatawu and his colleagues. The skillful midfielder made amends in the 62^nd minute when he scored a beautiful goal for Kotoko. Yaw Frimpong gave a long pass from the back and Fatawu lifted the ball over Ernest Sowah in mid-air to score a splendid goal.

Ahmed Toure could have made it three for Kotoko in the 90th minute but he was denied the chance by referee Awal who ruled him offside. Peeved by the unjust decision by the referee Toure hit the ball outside the field and he was cautioned for that. .

In the penalty shoot out Nii Adjei, Fatawu Mohammed, Nathaniel Asamoah, Yaw Frimpong, Ahmed Toure and Frank Boateng scored for Kotoko. Prince Anokye missed his kick.

Erick Agyemang, Yaw Alexander, Edward Kpodo, Alfred Arthur, Jackson Owusu, Abdul Basit and Adams Ahmed all scored their penalty kicks for Chelsea.

Kotoko Line Up: Soulama Abdoulaye, Yaw Frimpong, Sabato Mohammed, John Kuffour, Prince Anokye, Nii Adjei, David Offei/Stephen Oduro, Frank Boateng, Ahmed Toure, Alex Asamoah/Nathaniel Asamoah, Haruna Ganiyu/Fatawu Mohammed.

Unused bench: Aziz Ansah, Ohene Brenya, Gershon Akufo and Isaac Amoako.

Chelsea Line Up:  Ernest Sowah, Yaw Alexander, Jackson Owusu, Gladson Awako, Obed Owusu/Moro Awudu, Isaac Morgan, Edward Kpodo, Adams Ahmed, Bismark Idan/Abdul Basit, Alfred Arthur, Erick Agyemang.

Unused bench: Maxwell Banahene, Richard Afari, Ebenezer Odoei, Kwaku Andoh and Josiah Kunde.