By: Bernard Nyankomago Yeboah

Date: 21-11-11

Players of Asante Kotoko are well prepared to finish the first round of the League without defeat.

Speaking on behalf of the players after drawing goalless against Hearts of Oak last Sunday at the Ohene Djan Stadium, skipper Ohene Brenya admitted that victory in the next eight games ahead of Kotoko would not come on a sliver platter.

He however believes the current generation of Kotoko players has the character and arsenal to clinch the league title.

“It is our target to finish the first round unbeaten. So far we have played seven matches, won four and drew the remaining three. I believe Kotoko has what it takes to win the remaining matches ahead” said Ohene Brenya.

Wearing their white dominated jersey with red markings over white shorts against the rainbow colours of the Phobians, Ohene Brenya and his colleagues gave Kotoko supporters who thronged the Ohene Djan Stadium a lot to cheer about with good soccer artistry. Unfortunately, luck eluded them upfront as they missed glaring chances that came their way.

It was Kotoko’s third away draw in the season, having played 1-1 with Tema Youth and Berekum Arsenal in the first and fifth week fixtures. Kotoko had the better part of the exchanges against Hearts. Yaw Frimpong, Ohene Brenya, Awal Mohammed and Abdul Baba Rahman who just returned from a training tour in Italy with the Black Satellites formed an iron clad of defence and halted Hearts’ attacks.

The Kotoko midfield was very strong. Yahaya Mohammed, Nii Adjei Michael Akuffu and Michael Anaba showed enough strength throughout the game. It was no wonder Hearts’ Douglas Nkrumah who scored against Kotoko in the two legs of the Super 2 Charity match in the off season was missing in the game.

Twin strikers Ahmed Toure and Nathaniel Asamoah also had good partnership upfront but they were wasteful while goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye was quiet on the day.

What remained the centre of discussion during and after the game was the performance of referee Awal Mohammed. He took many unfair decisions which on most occasions were against Kotoko. In the 30th minute for instance, he shocked spectators at the stadium when stopped a brilliant Kotoko counter attack and attended to Uriah Asante, after allowing Hearts to nearly score a goal against Kotoko when the same player was writhing in pain.

Below is the minute by minute account of the game.

1^st minute: Hearts kick off. They launch a quick attack on Kotoko with Mahatma Otoo dribbling two defenders and delivering a cross from the flanks which was blocked by defender Awal Mohammed. Awal quickly gives a through pass to Mike Akuffu but in his attempt to control the ball he collides with Isaac Ofori and the Hearts midfielder is subsequently stretched off. That early injury put some fear in the Hearts supporters but Ofori returns a minute later after receiving medical treatment.

3^rd minute: Michael Anaba uses his skill and pace to outwit three players at a time but his long range shot goes over the goal post to give Hearts the first goal kick. A kick in by Goalkeeper Sammy Adjei neatly reaches Uriah Asante. He wastes no time and gives a through pass to Mahatma Otoo but Goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye quickly comes forward and saves the ball.

6^th minute: Kotoko awarded the first free kick after Nathaniel Asamoah is brought down by Bobie Ansah just behind the Hearts18 yard box. Yahaya Mohammed takes the kick but his shot goes over the goal post.

9^th minute: Hearts Moro Abubakar attracts the first yellow card. He brings Michael Anaba down after being outwitted to give Kotoko a free kick just behind the Hearts goal area. Yahaya Mohammed once again takes it but it is saved by Sammy Adjei.

15^th minute: Mahatma Otoo shows strength to win the ball at the expense of Yaw Frimpong but Ohene Brenya slides to bring him down. An infringement is given to Hearts but it does not yield any fruit for them.

17^th minute: Kotoko earns first corner kick. Nathaniel Asamoah delivers a cross from the left side of the field but Bobie Ansah stretches to block it with his leg. Mike Akuffu takes the corner kick but Ahmed Toure heads it over the post.

23rd minute: Nathaniel Asamoah could have put Kotoko into the lead had he been a little bit patient. He gets a through pass from Ahmed Toure and with only Goalkeeper Sammy Adjei to beat; Nat raises the ball over the post. That miss comes as a shock to most Kotoko supporters who were already on their feet anticipating the first goal.

26th minute: Awal Mohammed receives a yellow. The Kotoko defender goes for a challenge against Douglas Nkrumah. His foot touches the ball before Douglas falls down but the referee unexpectedly whistles for an infringement against him. Unhappy with the referee’s decision, Awal confronts the referee and attracts yellow card for that.

28th minute: Hearts defender Kofi Agyare booked for pushing Ahmed Toure in an aerial tussle after a corner kick taken by Mike Akuffu.

30th minute: Hearts initiate an attack but Uriah Asante falls in the process. Referee Awal Mohammed signals for the game to continue. Hearts nearly score the first goal but Soulama stretches to save the ball with his right foot. As Kotoko was launch a counter attack the referee surprisingly blows his whistle to stop the game. This incenses Soulama to leave his post and approach the referee. Unfortunately he gets a booking for much to the amazement of most Kotoko supporters.

34^th minute: Samuel Nzemoba replaces Uriah Asante who couldn’t come back after stretching off the field.

37th minute: Nathaniel Asamoah beats Owusu Sefa in the 18 yard box and is pushed by his opponent. Interestingly the referee lets Owusu Sefa off the hook and rather shows Nat a yellow card for stimulation.

45th minute: Yahaya Mohammed’s thunderbolt from a free kick punched by Sammy Adjei but Nat Asamoah fails to connect the inviting rebound. It was after Abdul Rahman had been brought down by Kofi Agyare. One minute injury time does not yield any results for either side.

48^th minute: Rasta haired Thomas Abbey of Hearts demonstrates great skill, strength and pace to beat Yaw Frimpong but his shot goes miles over the goal post.

56^th minute: Douglas Nkrumah nearly put his side into the lead. Unfortunately, his spectacular free kick hits the cross bar to the relief of Kotoko supporters. It was after Michael Anaba had brought Bobie Ansah down in a tussle for the ball.

60^th minute: Coach Maxwell Konadu brings in David Ofei for Michael Anaba. Ofei’s inclusion brings some sort of strength and urgency into the midfield. It was no wonder Hearts couldn’t initiate attack through the midfield again.

74^th minute: Hardworking midfielder Yahaya Mohammed nearly scores from a free kick but his well calculated shot hit the cross bar. David Ofei was right there to connect home the ball but the referee whistles for an off side against him.

80^th minute: Referee Awal Mohammed after giving several verbal warnings to Bobie Ansah this time round shows him a yellow card for a cynical tackle on Mike Akuffu who was surging forward for a goal. Akuffu limps off the field to receive medical treatment and returns quickly to continue the game.

85^th minute: Ahmed Toure gives way to Nafiu Iddrisu. The presence of Nafiu raises the confidence of Kotoko supporters as he is noted for scoring another last minute goals like he did against Mighty Jets but he couldn’t find the back of the net though his touches and passes are accurate.

90^th minute: Soulama Abdoulaye sustains injury after going for an aerial ball. The game is stopped for a minute for Soulama to receive medical attention. Two minutes added onto the regulation time do not produce any goal.

Kotoko line up: Soulama Abdoulaye, Ohene Brenya, Yaw Frimpong, Awal Mohammed, Abdul Rahman, Nii Adjei/Michael Mensah, Michael Akuffu, Ahmed Toure/Nafiu Iddrisu, Nathaniel Asamoah, Michael Anaba/David Ofei.

Unused players: Sabato Mohammed, Fatawu Mohammed, Amos Frimpong, Felix Annan.

Hearts line up: Sammy Adjei, Thomas Abbey, Bobie Ansah, Owusu Sefa, Kofi Agyare, Philip Boampong, Moro Abubakar, Isaac Ofori, Douglas Nkrumah/ Gabriel Armah, Uriah Asante/Samuel Nzemoba, Mahatma Otoo,

Unused players: Joseph Tagoe, Attakora Gyimah, Osei Bonsu, Ernest Ackon and Laud Quartey.