Ghanaian giants, Asante Kotoko pulled off a stunning comeback to overcome Legon Cities by three goals to one at the WAFA Park, Sogakope In the match day 12 of the 2023/24 Bet Pawa Premier League season .
Legon cities, for the first time welcomed their opponent, Asante kotoko at the Volta Region of Ghana, precisely Sogakape due to the unavailability of their original home grounds, El Wak sports stadium, according to the owners of the facility.
Heading into the game, Head Coach of Asante Kotoko, Dr. Prosper Nartey Ogum was ruled out from the game due to his engagements with FIFA and CAF, as they organized a five day educational course dubbed FIFA/CAF Coach Education Pathway in the University of Ghana and Mariot Hotel, all in Accra.
Building on their winning performance against Medeama in the last match day at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the Porcupine Warriors won their second straight game of the season and their fourth win in the league so far.
During the game, the home side grabbed the lead in the 27th minute as midfield general and captain, Nasiru Moro’s excellent free kick found the back of the net.
As they entered halftime, Legon cities was still ahead by a goal advantage
Kotoko, however, fought harder as they were able to equalize through an own goal from legon cities defender, Mohammed Suleman in the 67th minute.
The away team’s lead was further increased by Ugandan striker, Stephen Mukwala in the 75th minute when he converted a final third pass from captain Richmond Lamptey into a goal strike.
Deep into injury time, substitute Isaac Oppong salvaged Mukwala’s shot to seal victory for the porcupine warriors.
With this victory, Asante Kotoko has climbed up to the eighth spot with 16 points in the league standings whiles Legon Cities drop to the relegation zone with 12 points on 16th position after the defeat.
In a post match interview with the media, Head coach of Legon Cities, Paa Kwasi Fabin believes his team performed better in the first half than they did in the second half.
“I think we did well in the first half. I gave them instruction in the second half and they came and they were doing their own things and when you’re playing against a team like Kotoko, who have more experience ,you will get punished and we got punished,” he said.
The head coach also added that their loss could be attributed to inexperience on his team’s side.
“Inexperience because if you’re leading one zero and you come in the second half you need to slow the game down and that’s what exactly I told them. Let’s hold the ball, play, slow it down because Kotoko will come in the second half so let’s hold the hall and play so maybe inexperience.”
In the dressing room after the first half , Asante Kotoko’s head coach, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, delivered an effective pep talk that proved instrumental in the team’s second-half resurgence.
In response to that ,Assistant Coach of Kotoko, David Ocloo dedicated their comeback win to the motivational messages from head coach, Dr. Prosper Nartey Ogum .
“I will dedicate this win to our boss, doctor, he has been a marvelous boss so far. I really thank him for this opportunity and I will thank him also for the pep talk during recess, it has been a wonderfully pep talk it really inspired the boys and they pushed.”
In their next respective games, the Kumasi based club will face in-form Berekum Chelsea at the Baba Yara stadium and Legon Cities will subsequently clash with Accra Great Olympics.
–
Story by: Asack Pius | univers.ug.edu.gh
