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 And Kotoko tamed the Lions again…
Report by: Bernard Nyankomago Yeboah
Kpando Heart of Lions were irritatingly boastful prior to last Tuesday’s President’s Cup duel against Fantabulous Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
Perhaps amazed by their performance in the league where they are destined to finish at a distant second behind winners Kotoko, the Kpando lads in their vibes during the build-up to the match took the posture of a super-power in Ghana football, something they can only dream of.
In the end, they could not walk the talk and were left badly bruised by Asante Kotoko who coasted to their third President’s Cup triumph courtesy a 5-2 penalty shoot-out win after the match had ended 2-2 in regulation time at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.
For their prize, the Porcupine Warriors took home a glittering trophy which was presented to skipper Osei Kuffour by the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Alhaji Aliu Mahama who deputized for H.E President J.A Kuffour.
The Porcupines also took home a GH¢ 5,000.00 cheque.
Last Tuesday’s victory on Republic Day ensured the Oseikrom lads won their 4th trophy of the season but it was not an easy pay day for the red Porcupines. Heart of Lions made them work for their money.
The vanquished twice came from a goal down to end the match 2-2 after ninety minutes. Jordan Opoku and Eric Bekoe were on the score sheet for Kotoko while Dominic Adiyiah and Stephen Owusu brought Lions on level pegs.
The tie then had to be decided on penalties where Kotoko eventually emerged as winners. With the exception of Samuel Inkoom whose kick was saved by the Lion’s goalie, Daniel Acquah, Daniel Nii Adjei and Eric Bekoe scored perfectly.
Surprisingly, Stephen Owusu who scored the equalizer for Lions through a spot kick on the stroke of full time, together with Abraham Anang and Isaac Morgan blasted all their kicks into the skies.
Among other things, this sweet and resounding victory has confirmed Kotoko’s supremacy over Hearts of Lions who have fallen prey to the Porcupines on six consecutive times in the last twelve months.
 Having successfully defeated them back to back in a Ghalca Top Four match in June last year, the Porcupine Warriors went ahead to repeat the dose on them in the Onetouch Premiership.
Kotoko won the first leg in Kumasi 3-2 before recording another 2-1 victory in the second leg at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium. This was after Lions had suffered a 2-1 defeat during one of the off season preparation matches at the El-Wak Sports Stadium.
The occasion was used to mark the 48th anniversary of the Republic Day of the nation. Admittedly, football lovers who throng the stadium did not only witness good display of football artistry from both teams but also enjoyed the musical fiesta from Praye, one of the most popular Hiplife artistes in the country.
Though it rained few hours before the kick off, the supporters came in their numbers to cheer their respective teams but Kotoko as usual had 75% of the cheering public rooting for them.
Prior to the game, skipper Jerry Akaminko and Edmund Owusu Ansah who represented Hearts of Lion in a pre-match press conference vowed to avenge their previous defeats but Eric Bekoe and Samuel Inkoom who were also there on behalf of Kotoko rebuffed the Lions duo and promised to maintain the status quo and how right they were!
As soon as Referee Alex Kotey signalled for the commencement of the game, Kotoko started to pile pressure on their opponent. With the aim of sealing the deal in the first half, they created many chances but the attacking trio of Kwabena Yaro, Eric Bekoe and Osei Kuffour couldn’t convert them into goals.
The worst of it all came in the 16th minute when Kwabena Yaro missed a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Stephen Ahorlu after he attempted to dribble the goalie before scoring.
This was after skipper Emmanuel Osei Kuffour had missed a similar chance and it indeed worried most of the fans who were on their feet screaming for the match opener.
It was an open game indeed. Both teams made several incursions but Kotoko was ahead. In one of the attacks initiated from the left side of the pitch, Godfred Rockson who was the last man in defence for Lion’s deliberately fouled Kwabena Yaro who was clear on goal and Referee Alex Kotey wasted no time in showing him the exit.
Afterwards, Coach Oti Akenteng adopted a defensive strategy with occasional reliance on counter attacks.
Kotoko organized themselves well in search of the opener but once again Nii Adjei’s powerful shot from 30 metres went over the cross bar.
During recess Praye performed again with their popular and award winning songs that brought the stadium alive.
The second half of the game commenced and it was very amazing as Kotoko took the lead in the 46th minute.
Straight from the center, Harrison Afull ballooned the ball upfront and Jordan Opoku fired a terrific shot which went through many legs before hitting the back of the net.
Hardly had the cheers that greeted the goal died down before Dominic Adiyiah stunned the vociferous Kotoko fans with the equalizer a minute later.
This was after the Kotoko defenders were caught ball watching in a swift Lions raid of the Porcupines goal area. The game from this time became interesting and keener.
Kotoko mounted the pressure but the Lions’ defense comprising of Ofosu Appiah, Emmanuel Ansong and John Boye remained resolute and wasted no time in clearing the dangerous balls away.
George Asare received the first yellow card of the day after challenging George Yamoah for an aerial ball. Coach Johnson Smith quickly brought Kwadwo Poku for Kwabena Yaro.
The presence of ‘Mahala’ injected energy upfront and no wonder Eric Bekoe connected home a 25 meter shot from Nii Adjei to put Kotoko ahead.
Coach Oti Akenteng also made two quick substitutions bringing on Abraham Anan for Osei Banahene and Isaac Morgan for Acquah Daniel.
Stephen Oduro also came in for Jordan Opoku. The substitutions by both team increased the tempo of the game.
When all seemed to have gone in favour of Kotoko, Stephen Owusu went for the kill in the 95th minute through a spot kick and brought his side on level terms when Richard Manu in his effort as clearing the back for Kotoko was adjudged by the referee to have fouled Adiyiah in the 18 yard box.
Since there was not a clear winner at the end of the open play period, penalty shoots were to be used to declare a winner.
Dan Acquah led composed Kotoko penalty takers to triumph over very nervous Lions players who blasted the ball over the bar with Nii Baah in goal for Kotoko having little to do.
Kotoko Line Up: Nii Baah, Samuel Inkoom, Harrison Afful, George Asare, Richard Manu/Dan Acquah, Mark Sekyere, Nii Adjei, Jordan Opoku/Stephen Oduro, Osei Kuffour, Eric Bekoe, Kwabena Yaro/Kwadwo Poku.
Unused substitutes: Isaac Anderson, Ofosu Amoah, Francis Coffie and Soulama Abdoulaye.
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