By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 24-10-11

After overpowering stubborn Bechem United 3-2 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Asante Kotoko coach, Maxwell Konadu says the focus of his team is now on Heart of Lions who trek to Kumasi this weekend to face the Porcupines in a 4th week fixture.

The Kotoko technical handler told Kotoko Express on Sunday that there is no time to idle. He said the upcoming encounter against Hearts of Lions would be no different from the Bechem duel. “That will also be another hard game. We will come into the game well prepared. Our attention is on Heart of Lions because we are taking one game at a time” said the coach.

Maxwell Konadu added that his players are steadily responding to instructions and with time, they would get to the level that Kotoko supporters expect. “The team is working hard. Bechem United were not easy to beat.  I told you they will not be pushovers and truly so they battled well. We showed more strength and experience to win the game” he argued.

One perfect strike from Nathaniel Asamoah and a charming double from Ahmed Toure gave Kotoko a difficult 3-2 win over the league debutants in an encounter that many predicted to go Kotoko’s way. Bechem United, right from the blast of Referee Jonathan Tetteh’s whistle showed their preparedness to stretch Kotoko. For nearly 10 minutes, the league’s new boys in their radiant white jerseys sought to unsettle Kotoko with ex-Black Satellites striker, Ofori Quaye leading the onslaught.

As long as Bechem United’s dominated, Kotoko was nervy. The Porcupines however regained their composure, assuming full control of the game from the 13th minute with Ahmed Toure’s powerful header flying over the crossbar to create a rather scary moment for the home team.

A stunning, string of beautiful passes and dashes between Nii Adjei and Yaw Frimpong which ended in the goal area in the 20th minute, sent spectators on their feet and clapping for Kotoko’s wonderful build-up to subdue Bechem United defiant defence.

Yahaya Mohamed, Michael Akuffo, Nathaniel Asamoah and Nii Adjei’s long range efforts midway inside the first half were commendable though none went hit the target. Ohene Brenya rescued Kotoko from what would have sent them a goal down, when with a timely sliding tackle, he truncated a perfect cross from Eric Fordjour to rob speeding Ofori Quaye a scoring chance.

The moment Kotoko fans had been waiting for came in the 36th minute. Michael Akuffu connected Ahmed Toure in the box and Toure cleverly headed the ball to well-positioned Nathaniel Asamoah, who calmly tapped it into the net for the first goal.

Bechem United however were not undaunted by that. They fought back and aggressively so equalised two minutes before the break through unmarked Ofori Quaye who benefited well from neat cross from Eric Fordjour. Akwasi Adu put the Bechem side 2-1 ahead in the 61st minute following a lovely build-up that again saw Eric Fordjour orchestrating the move.

With Michael Mensah and David Ofei coming on for Yahaya Mohamed and Michael Anaba, Kotoko lifted their performance. They pinned Bechem United back into to their territory. That continuous hard work yielded positive in the 71st minute as a deep cross from Nii Adjei to Nathaniel Asamoah saw the striker hitting the crossbar. However, Ahmed Toure, hovering around the six-yard box, smartly fired home the rebound to make it 2-2.

The fight for the vital third goal was now started. As good as Bechem United contained Kotoko, the Porcupines intensified their heat. They succeeded in breaking Bechem United’s resolve 15 minutes from the end when in a quick incursion, Nathaniel Asamoah found Ahmed Toure in the goal area. True to his trademark, Ahmed Toure sent a good grounder which left goalie Ransford Cudjoe kissing the ground but unable to stop the shot.

With Kotoko’s vital win coming hours before Hearts drew goalless against defending champions Berekum Chelsea in Accra, the Porcupine Warriors currently lead the Glo Premier League table with 7 points and they are sure of beating visiting Heart of Lions in Kumasi on Sunday.

Kotoko: Soulama Abdoulaye, Yaw Frimpong, Abdul Baba Rahman, Ohene Brenya, Awal Mohammed, Yahaya Mohammed/Michael Mensah, Nii Adjei Daniel, Michael Akuffu, Michael Anaba/ David Ofei, Ahmed Toure, Nathaniel Asamoah/Frank Boateng.  

Bechem United: Ransford Kudjoe, Godfred Fosu, Abdul Rashed, James Papa Yaw Yeboah, Osei Yaw Bismark, Eric Fordjour, Yaw Mensah, George Ampofo, Issah Adamu/Ransford Cudjoe, Akwasi Adu/Richard Afranie, Peter Ofori Quaye/Richard Addai.