Monday, June 15, 2009

Hearts 0 -1 Kotoko: the lowdown

I was not at the El Classico Ghana. And so this is the report given by my colleague Nat Gadugah at Multimedia Broadcasting.

A Francis Coffie incisive second half header handed Kumasi Asante Kotoko their first ever victory over rivals Accra Hearts of Oak at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in 16 years.

Hearts looked the more likely side to win after dominating play in the first half but created almost next to nothing.

A totally defunct Hearts attack led by Eric Gawu and Samuel Affum posed no threat at all to Kotoko defence led by skipper, Godfred Yeboah.

Back from recess, the Porcupine Warriors were in predatory form, pounding the goal area of the Hearts goal, with Kwadwo Poku posing a mouthful for Hearts' defence.

Poku's 47th minute tap from close range sent kotoko fans jumping to the roof tops in celebration but was ruled off-side by referee Gyasi.

In what appeared a surprise substitution from both managers, Hearts Kosta Papic brought out Francis Bossman who was the Phobian's best performer on the day.

His opposite number, Herbert Addo also brought in Kwabena Yaro for Kwadwo Poku which angered many of the fans but little did they know Herbert's plot.


With Stephen Manu making way for Alex Asamoah, the Hearts defence crumbled from consistent pressure from Asamoah and Yaro.

The Phobian's had by far the glorious opportunity of the day, but substitute Hamzah Abdulai surprisingly shot wide from close range, an opportunity he wished he never missed.

His skipper Hassan Mohammed, gave away a silly free-kick just at the threshold of the 18 yard box and that turned the story in favour of the Porcupine Warriors.

Man-of-the-match Harrison Afful, expertly converted the kick and Francis Coffie soared above the defenders and planted the ball beyond the stretching grasp of Philemon McCarthy in post for Hearts.

They were hell bent on breaking the 16 year jinx, at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium and Coffie's goal couldn't have come at a better time.

They were hell bent on breaking the 16 year jinx, at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium and Coffie's goal couldn't have come at a better time.

The Phobians were completely out of sorts as Affum and Gawu continuously occupied space upfront giving Kotoko's goal keeper a complete holiday.

Charles Taylor who came on for Bossman and the leading goal scorer, Obed Ansah were kept completely anonymous for most part of the second half and Ansah eventually limped off the field for Tofik Djibril.

The Porcupine Warriors fiercely defended their 1-0 lead until the blast of the final whistle to avenge a sweet 1-2 defeat they suffered in the first leg.

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