By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 08-11-11

After five rounds of matches in the 2011/2012 Glo Premier League, in which they have won three, drawn twice and occupying the second position on the league table, players of Kumasi Asante Kotoko say they are yet to hit their best form. Kotoko on Sunday drew 1-1 against Berekum Arsenal at the Golden City Park.

The Porcupines took on their opponents with great determination and went up 1-0 through midfielder, Fatawu Mohammed after 40 minutes of grueling action. The home side however canceled that deficit in the 87th minute, courtesy a spot kick neatly converted by substitute player, Collins Adjei Pele, who was fouled in the 18-yard box by Awal Mohammed.

The equaliser by Arsenals literally pushed a bitter pill down the throats of Kotoko supporters who eagerly anticipated a vital away win. Speaking in post match interviews with Kotoko Express, five of the players who were fielded in the absorbing game, namely David Ofei, Nathaniel Asamoah, Fatawu Mohammed, Michael Akuffu and interim captain, Ohene Brenya unanimously agreed that the team has not reached the top level yet.

“We contained Arsenals but the penalty kick changed things. We were hurt. This is not our best show. Very soon we will be better and people will see us well” said David Ofei who initiated the move that led to the opener. Nathaniel Asamoah who was replaced by Afranie Yeboah after 65 minutes added his voice. “We were willing to maintain our lead but that could not happen. That does not mean we cannot improve. We have more room to improve” said the striker.

While expressing disappointment that his goal could not give Kotoko its first win over Arsenals in Berekum in eight years, Fatawu Mohammed was blunt with his opinion. . “I do not see this as our best form. We have played five matches. Our target is to be the best. We are not yet there but hopefully we will get there” said Fatawu.

Michael Akuffu and Ohene Brenya also had this to say. “We have to continue improving” said Brenya. “If we play well, soon we will get there” explained the dedicated centre back. “I believe we have more to be done. We have to be consistent; with support from our fans we will do that” said Michael Akuffu. Below is a minute-by-minute account of the game.

1st minute: Spectators erupt with joy as Referee William Agbovi whistles for hostilities to begin. The atmosphere in the make-shift stands is very noisy as Kotoko kicks off. With some of the spectators dancing to loud brass band music, a few of those standing in the blazing sun argue fiercely over the possible outcome of the match.

2nd minute: Arsenals win possession. The packed venue goes gay as well as Daniel Nii Adjei fouls Bennet Ofori to halt his dangerous incursion. The resultant free kick is wasted by Sadiqq Abubakar. A minute on, Arsenals win their first corner kick and amidst the hoarse shouts for a goal, Awal Mohammed soars to head the long kick corner to safety.

5th minute: Pressure mounts intensely on Kotoko. Yaw Frimpong stops Bennet Ofori’s swift move on right side of attack. The fight for the ball rages on. Yaw Frimpong unfortunately loses possession and he quickly fouls his opponent, compelling the referee to warn him verbally.

8th minute: Under pressure Kotoko concede another corner kick. Arsenals still keeps their pressure on Kotoko. Enock Asare cuts the ball dangerously into goal area. The ball is cleared away but a tenacious drive comes in which is spilled into play by Soulama Abdoulaye. Amos Frimpong hurriedly goes in to clear the danger to the relief of Kotoko fans.

12th minute: The unsettled Kotoko team does well to contain the heat from Arsenals attack. However, danger still looms as Ohene Brenya fouls James Boadi halfway inside Kotoko territory. Prince Adjei’s master strike is expertly pushed to safety by Soulama Abdoulaye.

15th minute: The dominance by Arsenals is over. Well-strung passes and movements between David Ofei and Nathaniel Asamoah sees the latter firing a terrific shot which Arsenals’ goalie Rasheed Mutawaku dives to push out for a corner kick, which is taken by Michael Akuffu.

16th minute: Visibly anxious Kotoko fans explode with excitement as Fatawu Mohammed and David Ofei’s speedy incursion throws the home team’s defence into tatters. On rushing Awal Mohammed run into good position for a pass to link Ahmed Toure but diminutive player, Enock Asare fouls Awal to thwart the Kotoko first decent onslaught.

23rd minute: Kotoko has full control of the game. Their excellent midfield effort gives Berekum Arsenals problems. Creative David Ofei looks for options as he moves forward but Prince Adjei however intervenes to dispossess him.

28th minute: The high tempo of the game drops. Kotoko in control; Nathaniel Asamoah runs deep into Arsenals’ territory with the ball. Arsenals’ defence moves fast to organise. Nathaniel finds Toure whose mighty strike is however saved by the goalie.

32nd minute: The tempo rises again. Arsenals push hard for the opener. Incursions by Enock Asare, Bennet Ofori and especially Prince Adjei create scary moments for Kotoko but Amos Frimpong, Ohene Brenya and Awal Mohammed do a good job to contain the trio.

34th minute: Excitement at the Park reaches high level as Kotoko exert severe pressure on Arsenals. Ahmed Toure is having things tough upfront. He battles to win possession and outwits his marker around the box. His final strike is however woeful. Arsenals fans boo Toure loudly.

39th minute: Arsenals come close to scoring as Soulama fails to correctly intercept a well floated corner kick. Kotoko lives dangerously. Joseph Masel goes in for a header but he is challenged by defender; Awal Mohammed who overpowers him in the aerial tussle.

40th minute: David Ofei initiates a treacherous onslaught. He finds Ahmed Toure inside the box. Arsenals defence is momentarily destabilised; Toure cleverly heads the ball to speeding Fatawu Mohammed whose master strike to the left corner of the net beats goalie to send Kotoko 1-0 ahead. Arsenals fans are shocked. Kotoko fans celebrate wildly. There is a sharp contrasting emotion as Kotoko fans gladly tease the quietly seated home supporters.

42th minute: Arsenals survive another Kotoko swift onslaught. Kotoko fans are still in jubilant. They call for more goals. Arsenals however return the heat on Kotoko. Prince Adjei dashes upfront to fire a good salvo which is blocked by Awal Mohammed. Kotoko fans rise to applaud Awal’s timely intervention.

45th minute: Arsenals fight hard as the first half cruises to an end. Enock Asare benefits from their brilliant midfield organisation. He attempts to beat Ohene Brenya halfway inside Kotoko terrain. Brenya badly fouls the intelligent Asare. The referee comes in promptly to flash his yellow card at Ohene Brenya.

48th minute: The home team searches for the equaliser. They win infringements around Kotoko’s goal area. Six minutes on, Soulama Abdoulaye receives medical attention after incident in the box. Afterwards stubborn Prince Adjei is booked for a dangerous tackle on Fatawu as he initiates an attack for his side.

57th minute: Arsenals appear tired. Kotoko dominate game briefly. Nii Adjei, Fatawu Mohammed and Nathaniel Asamoah combine well upfront but there is poor finishing by Nathaniel Asamoah.

65th minute: Substitutions by Berekum Arsenals; Bennet Ofori and Joseph Masel go out for Collins Adjei Pele and Osei Bonsu Richard respectively. These alter the game well for the home Minutes later limping Nathaniel Asamoah makes way for Afranie Yeboah.

73rd minute: Kotoko seek to double their lead. Berekum Arsenals though defend well. The Porcupines fight on but are wasteful upfront.

74th minute: Collins Adjei Pele is booked for handball. Kotoko launch a quick raid from the free kick spot but fails to find the target. Three minutes on, Arsenals grow in confidence. They win two corner kicks in succession. Serious pressure begins to mount on Kotoko.

79th minute: Coach Maxwell Konadu pulls out Nii Adjei for Michael Mensah. Later Michael Mensah sends in two perfect crosses but Ahmed Toure fails to connect home with his headers.

87th minute: Arsenals pile more pressure. Kotoko works hard to contain them but not so well in the box as Awal Mohammed fouls Collins Adjei Pele. Referee Agbovi in a hurry awards them a penalty kick. Their fans begin to celebrate even before Collins Adjei nicely converts the kick. It is 1-1! Pain, disappointment and worry are boldly written on the faces on Kotoko supporters.

89th minute: Kotoko is plagued with wastefulness in their search for the elusive match winner. Coach Maxwell Konadu introduces Nafiu Iddrisu for David Ofei. There is however too little to be done as the referee ends proceedings in the 94th minute. The home crowd jubilates over their teams’ hard effort.

Kotoko: Soulama Abdoulaye, Yaw Frimpong, Amos Frimpong, Ohene Brenya, Awal Mohammed, Nii Adjei, Michael Akuffu, Nathaniel Asamoah/Afranie Yeboah, David Ofei/Nafiu Iddrisu, Nii Adjei/Michael Mensah, Ahmed Toure, Mohammed Fatawu.

Arsenals: Rasheed Mutawaku, Akwasi Acheampong, Prince Adjei, Afrifa John, James Boadi, Abubakar Sadiqq, Enock Asare, Joseph Masel/Osei Bonsu Richard, Bennet Ofori/Collins Adjei Pele, Akwasi Awuni, Danjuma Jafaru.