Match Report: Asante Kotoko held at home by Legon Cities

• Legon Cities left the Ashanti Region with a point

• Mukwala scored his second goal of the season from the spot

Asante Kotoko on Wednesday, laboured to a 1-1 draw against Legon Cities in their Premier League week 7 clash at the Baba Yara Sports stadium.

Kotoko were the front runners after snatching an early lead courtesy of Steven Mukwala in the 16th minutes from the spot but Sadat Mohammed’s brilliant performance saw him cancelling out the Porcupine Warriors lead in the 49th minute.

Seydou Zerbo made four changes to his line-up before the game, bringing Frederick Asare to the number one position leaving Moise Pouaty on the bench in the absence of Ibrahim Danlad who is on national duty with the Black Stars. He handed Georges Mfegue, Enoch Morrison, and 16-year-old Shadrack Addo starting berth as replacement for Dickson Afoakwa, Samuel Boateng and suspended Richard Boadu.

Asante Kotoko began the game on a strong foot by pilling pressure on Legon Cities in the early stages. However, Mukwala stepped up to score from the spot to give the Porcupine Warriors the lead after he was brought down by the defenders of the visitors in the 16th minute.

Another great opportunity came for Kotoko to make it two but Mukwala couldn’t find the right connection to punish Legon Cities.

Maxwell Konadu’s side, however returned with positive vibes and started enjoying following Sadat Mohammed’s brilliant goal in the 49th minute.

The Porcupines Warriors nearly restored the lead in the 73rd minutes, thanks to Mohamed Sulemana who made a fantastic goal line clearance to deny Kotoko from going in front.

Kotoko made a few changes towards the end of the game to bring bite and power upfront, but those changes had no significant impact on the game as the referee blew his whistle to end the game.

They have moved from the second place to the third place, two points behind league leaders Aduana Stars while Legon Cities sit sixth with eleven points towards the World Cup break.

One of the the biggest clash of the weekend will however be at the Accra Stadium when Accra Lions host their city rivals, Hearts of Oak on Thursday at the nation’s Wembley.