Kumasi Asante Kotoko had managed to secure a late draw with an equalizer courtesy from Baba Yahaya’s strike against Karela United in a 1-1 stalemate at the Kumasi Baba Yara sports stadium on Sunday.
The ‘Porcupine Warriors’ are yet to pick up maximum points in the ongoing season after securing a point in their first league outing against Hearts of Lions before succumbing to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Bibiani Gold Stars.
Kotoko was searching for means to end the match victorious on Sunday evening against Karela United. Karela’s Evans Adomako compounded on the misery of the porcupine warriors with his 8th minute strike putting Karela United ahead on the scoreboard.
Although Asante Kotoko delivered a good performance throughout the first half, they lacked the cutting edge and went into the break trailing.
The resumption of the second half saw series of incursions by Asante Kotoko as they found their mojo. Though the players created numerous opportunities with the aim of turning the game on its head, they were unable to achieve the desired finish.
Karela United were unfortunate to have being unable to go two goals up when Abdul-Raman Yaya’s close range effort cannoned off the foot of the post following Maxwells Arthur’s lofted free kick on the 63rd minute.
Kotoko responded through Richmond Lamptey, but his 20 yard drive was parried behind for a corner kick by goalkeeper Ganiu Abdul of Karela. Henry Ansu thought he had equalized from the resulting corner only to see his header skim of the crossbar.
Kotoko were not to be denied late in stoppage time when Somuah Sarpong wriggled past three Karela players before teeing up Baba Yahaya whose left footed shot from the edge of the box flew past a static Ganiu Abdul and into the left bottom corner.
There was a frantic finale to the game in stoppage time; Prince Darmang came close for Karela with an audacious half volley from the half way line which produced a smart stop from Danlad Ibrahim before Asante Kotoko went on a late surge of their own, leaving Karela United on the fences till the full time whistle. Peter Acquah struck the post before Baba Yahaya was denied from a free kick by Karela’s Abdul Ganiu.
The spoils were shared at the blast of the full time whistle as Kumasi Asante Kotoko remained winless in their last 6 home league outings.
Manager of Asante Kotoko, Dr.Prosper Narteh Ogum believes his side will soon find their groove and get the goals in due time.
“Yeah all that we have to do Is to keep practicing more goal scoring drills, giving them the confidence to be composed. They need to pick their spot, apply the right technique and then that should be it; so we need to encourage them. It’s better you create the chances and if you miss it’s good than you don’t create at all because if you create it means the possibility of scoring is high.”
The Porcupine Warriors are a place adrift of the bottom of the league and will look to get their season back on track when they face Accra Lions in the next fixture.
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Story by: Andrews Sefa Bamfo | universnews.ug.edu.gh
