Kotoko earn hard win over Aduana
KUMASI Asante Kotoko secured the maximum points as they pipped visiting Aduana Stars 1-0 in their Normalisation Committee Special Competition at the Baba Yara Stadium yesterday.
Kotoko hit the back of the net through Abass Mohammed, just two minutes into the game,
Aduana accepted the challenge, pushing men forward as Kotoko appeared sluggish forcing coach C.K Akonnor to exhaust his substitution list in the first half as he brought on Stephen Nyarko, Prince Acquah and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu for Zabo Teguy Dany, Kwame Bonsu and Wahab Adams respectively, following some injuries.
Mohammed Yahaya, on the 33rd minute mark, cancelled the lead during a goal mouth melee only for assistant referee, Kofi Nyarko, to flag it offside.
Kotoko’s efforts to increase the tally met a stiff resistance from the visitors’ rearguard centered on Caleb Amankwa and Farouk Adams, ending the half which saw some Aduana officials attacking the referee for disallowing the goal.
Aduana held Kotoko boot for boot after resumption, but poor passes upfront was their bane to fetch for the equaliser.
Unfortunately, too, Referee Julian Nii Akwa Nunoo, who was not economical with his cards, showed Noah Martey the marching-off orders in the 76th minute, for a second bookable offence to compound their woes.
However, Kotoko failed to capitalise on the reduced strength of Aduana who, at this juncture, had increased the tempo of their game but time was not on their side to cause any stir.
FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, KUMASI