By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 17-10-11

Coach Maxwell Konadu has attributed Sunday evening’s 3-0 drubbing of Ashantigold at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to the seriousness and willingness of his players who he says are ready to learn new things and of course anything he teaches them. The Kotoko trainer said he has players who are eager and also have the energy to perform and this contributed to the sterling performance exhibited in their first Glo Premier League home match in the new season..

“We have young guys who are prepared to learn. They have the energy to perform. We saw their display on the field. It was good” said Maxwell Konadu who recalled lessons he has learnt on total football to buttress his point as to why his team was impressive against their regional rivals.

“I learnt something from Coach Sam Arday – which is total football .I believe in that philosophy. That is what we have been practisisng. To do that well, you need players who have energy; guys who can play to perfection” insisted the Kotoko technical handler.

Three excellent goals from Michael Akuffo, Nathaniel Asamoah and Michael Anaba gave Kotoko that sweet, convincing win over Ashantigold in Sunday’s titanic league clash. Akuffo was first to get on the score sheet through a spot kick in the 30th minute, moments after brilliant midfielder, Daniel Nii Adjei was fouled in the box by Ashantigold defender, Michael Boakye.

Prior to the first goal, the Obuasi club had succeeded in keeping the combined, impressive Kotoko attack of Ahmed Toure and Nathaniel Asamoah at bay. However, with constant support from the midfield, the fabulous team still managed to break into the rear of the Obuasi side.

The tempo of the game increased substantially as Kotoko sought to double their lead with Ahmed Toure creating constant problems for Ashantigold’s defence. The miners’ defence crumbled under pressure again as the strong Kotoko attack broke loose in the 33rd minute.

Ahmed Toure and Nathaniel Asamoah intelligently beat the offside trap. With two defenders hotly trailing them, Ahmed Toure leader of the onslaught, selflessly passed the ball to Nathaniel in the box for him to fire home a superb shot to register the second goal.

Despite their hard efforts to pull one back, Ashantigold could not overpower the Kotoko defence ably controlled by Yaw Frimpong, Baba Abdul Rahman, Ohene Brenya and Awal Mohammed. The only time Ashantigold seemed dangerous was in the 42nd minute when Michael Boakye rounded two men but his menacing salvo was splendidly stopped by Soulama Abdoulaye.

When Kotoko returned the heat, it was Yahaya Mohammed who wonderfully tested the agility of the Ashantigold goalie, Fatau Dauda with a stunning 30-metre bullet.

Referee John Atikese nearly marred his fine evening of officiating when he shockingly denied Kotoko a penalty kick after Nathaniel Asamoah was carelessly fouled a minute after the break. The referee’s inaction to the dangerous tackle on Nathaniel Asamoah in the box infuriated almost Kotoko fan at the stadium, with many of them questioning whether awarding two deserving penalty kicks to Kotoko was a criminal offence.

Gifted with a glorious chance to score, Ashantigold striker Didier Kore missed terribly in the 53rd minute, dampening the spirit of the few supporters of the club at the stadium.. Even with the visitors resorting to brute tackles and the referee reluctantly punishing them, Kotoko remained in control of the game.

Three substitutions by the visitors failed to ignite their recovery but the same number of substitutions by Kotoko from the 72nd minute greatly improved their game. They fought for the third goal which came in the 89th minute from the foot of Michael Anaba who fittingly connected home a decent pass from Yaw Frimpong. Kotoko are 4th on the league table with 4 points and play newly promoted side, Bechem United in Kumasi on Sunday.

Kotoko line-up: Soulama Abdoulaye, Yaw Frimpong, Baba Abdul Rahman, Ohene Brenya, Awal Mohammed, Yahaya Mohammed, Daniel Nii Adjei/David Ofei, Michael Akuffo, Michael Anaba, Ahmed Toure/Fatawu Mohammed, Nathaniel Asamoah/Michael Mensah.

Ashantigold: Fatau Dauda, Asamoah Daniel/Masawudu Basit, Traore Henri, Entsir, Henry, Michael Boakye, John Ashong, Malik Akowuah, Aaron Amoah, Moussa Kasses/Mohammed Yakubu, Didier Kore, Mohammed Latif/Mohammed Aminu.