Disjointed Great Olympic have held defending champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko to a 1-1 draw in week 11 of the BetPawa Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Great Olympics were tipped as the underdogs going into the game following their poor run in their last three league matches but they turned the screw to hold the Porcupine Warriors.
Kotoko couldn’t find the net in the first half despite having the lion’s share of possession and having a handful of good chances. Both goalkeepers made fine saves to keep the scores level as they went into half-time.
They were frustrated by a resolute Great Olympics side in the second half as they nearly fell to defeat at home but Kwadwo Appau’s late minute strike was all they needed to share spoils with the Accra giants.
The visitors were strong in the second half and relieved the pressure on boss Seydou Zerbo to take the lead courtesy of Abdul Bashiru’s beautiful long strike during the 47th minute.
But the Kotoko never looked disappointed – they had a game plan and they executed it perfectly in the dying embers of the game. The reds looked sharped and forced the Great Olympics side to a 1-1 draw through Kwadwo Appau’s late header.
Before the game, head coach for the Porcupine Warriors, Seydou Zerbo made some changes to his set up with Mohammed Sherrif and Clinton Opoku making their first match squad after lengthy spell out.
Samuel Appiah and Ernest Osei Opoku were given the green light to replace suspended Justice Blay and Nicholas Mensah while ‘wantaway’ forward, Steven Amankona returned for injured Afoakwa.
However, he made some changes in the second half but the Porcupine Warriors couldn’t build up on their great performance against league leaders, Aduana Stars to beat Great Olympics as they suffered a setback to the summit of the league table.
The draw leaves Kotoko at the second position with points, one point behind leaders Aduana Stars while Olympics sit tenth with 15 points.
