Asante Kotoko was denied an away win at the Akoon Park in Tarkwa in their Ghana Premier League rescheduled match against Medeama after the Yellow and Mauves converted a late penalty to bring the final score on a level.
Medeama SC hosted Asante Kotoko in a Ghana Premier League Match Week 4 rescheduled fixture at the Akoon Park, Tarkwa on Sunday. Asante Kotoko fans had enjoyed some respite after the Porcupines managed to beat Dreams FC by a lone goal in Dawu during their last league match, and we’re looking forward to recording two consecutive wins in a row. Medeama on the other hand was yet to win a match at home this season before the game against Asante Kotoko and were hopeful of doing that against Kotoko.
Both teams churned out intensive displays as they pushed for the first goal, but the cautious defense of both sides put the runs of the attackers of either side into nothing but the mere chase of their shadows. The first half ended barren.
Asante Kotoko proved more resolute and aggressive in an attack in the second half, giving the defense of Medeama lots of questions to answer. The Porcupine Warriors came close to breaking the virginity of the in the 47th minute, but Kwame Opoku after finding himself within the shooting range, lacked urgency in reacting and the ball was picked in front of him by goalkeeper Eric Ofori Antwi.
The relentless efforts of coach Johnson Smith’s side finally yielded dividend in the 74th minute when striker Kwame Poku picked up an Emmanuel Gyamfi pass in the box to shoot into the left bottom corner of the Ofori Antwi’s net to register the opener of the game. This was his third league goal of the current league campaign.
Asante Kotoko held on to their lead till the 85th minute when defender Habib Mohammed handled the ball in the box and the referee awarded a late penalty to the home side. Former Asante Kotoko stars Abas Mohammed had no mercy for the cripple as he stepped forward to convert the spot-kick to give Medeama 86th minute equalizer.
Both teams failed to score any more goals and the game ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes. The result means Medeama are still yet to win a home match this season in their 6 games, and are currently with 7 points out of a possible 18 and lie 13th in the league table.
Asante Kotoko, a title contender, now lie 6th on the table with 9 points from 6 games played.
Below is the starting XI paraded by both sides:
Medeama XI:
Eric Ofori Antwi (GK), Samuel Appiah, Patrick Yeboah, Ali Outtara, Daniel Agyin, Richard Boadu, Eric Kwakwa, Rashid Nortey, Godfred Kwadwo Asamoah, Kwesi Donsu, Agyenim Boateng
Asante Kotoko XI:
Razak Abalora (GK), Samuel Frimpong, Imoro Ibrahim, Ismael Ganiyu, Habib Mohammed, Emmanuel Sarkodie, Latif Anabila, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Godfred Asiamah, Ibrahim Osman, Kwame Opoku