Kotoko outclass King Faisal in local derby

By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 12-04-11

Two classic goals, a highly unpardonable goalkeeping mistake, show of power and strength, anger, tension and anxiety were the number of things that characterised the Kotoko and King Faisal week 23Glo Premier League match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday evening.

Strikers Nathaniel Asamoah and Ivorian import, Ahmed Toure who has declared his intention to play for Ghana, exhibited superb finishing skills to score two extraordinary goals for Kotoko to clinch a vital win against their struggling city rivals.

In all, the eventful game ended 2-1 against King Faisal. Despite playing with a lot of power and purpose, it took Asante Kotoko 77 minutes to put the ball behind King Faisal’s net.

It was the supreme brilliance of substitute striker, Nathaniel Asamoah who was returning from injury to do the trick for the Porcupines. Nathaniel, after picking the ball and moving into the goal area, deceived the King Faisal goalkeeper, Benjamin Mensah by attempting to fire a shot only to push the ball calmly and slowly into the yawning net.

The finesse with which Nathaniel Asamoah fetched the goal was admired by the highly respectable and cheering crowd most of who had thought that the intelligent marksman was to go in for a shot.

“I was just too tired after putting the ball in the net. Tired not because I had lost strength but because of the excitement. I celebrated running across the back of the post. I was breathless. I just could not contain the joy,” said Nathaniel Asamoah.

The excitement in the stadium was massive but all the exhilaration vanished into thin air five minutes later making way for a strong anger, annoyance and anxiety when Kotoko goalie, Isaac Amoako for the umpteenth time this season, surged out of his post needlessly for a ball that he could not save, thereby allowing striker Asuandzie Baffoe to secure what was for King Faisal a refreshing equalizer 8 minutes to the end of the match.

Amoako had allowed an avoidable goal against his side in last Wednesday MTN FA Cup clash at home to Aduana Stars and the fans would not have forgiven him for that error had the game ended 1-1.

 “The ball was not in the middle of the post. It was quite outside his area. He could have left it for Awal who was on the attacker and he could have perhaps done better” explained Goalkeepers’ Trainer, Joe Carr when his view was sought on Amoako’s inexcusable error.

The Kotoko goalkeeper was beside himself with grief both on the pitch and later in the changing room. Immediately after the equaliser he lied on the pitch motionless apparently groaning over King Faisal’s goal in the dying embers of the game. He admitted his mistake in a post-match interview.

“In life there are bad times and good times. From what is happening to me, I strongly believe that these are my bad times. Things have not gone well. It’s unfortunate. It is not good. I thank God that we won the King Faisal match. I am very grateful to God for the strength he gave us as well as the victory. These are really bad times for me. I promise to recover from whatever is going on to do my best” said the Kotoko goalkeeper.

Ahmed Toure, whose 30-metre bullet of a shot in the 84th minute stunned everybody at the stadium and consequently saw the home fans erupting with intense joy and followed by endless celebration, applause and cheers had few words to share.

“We wanted a win. We worked hard and fortunately our hard work was rewarded” said the tireless Ivorian forward.

Coach Bogdan Korak was not left out of the fun and party especially back into the changing room. The fans hailed him just as he marched out of the mixed zone and he responded well by waving at them.

“This is a great. We were fantastic. I am happy we played well. Kotoko is doing well. When I came, we were 13th on the table. Today we are at second position. Everything is good and I am happy” the coach told this paper in a brief interview.

In the match itself, King Faisal held Kotoko strongly in the middle but lacked the muscle to overpower the Kotoko defence anytime they surged forward. John Kuffour and Awal Mohammed proved a mighty force at the back with ample support from Yaw Frimpong and Prince Anokye.

Playing his first league game under Bogdan Korak, Edward Afum who could have easily shot Kotoko into the lead after 17 minutes struggled to be impressive on the right flank.

Alex Asamoah before being substituted by Stephen Oduro early in the second half was as well less impressive. The rest of the players fared well, again giving credence to their hard work and resolve to write a completely different script in the second round of the league. Kotoko are now second on the log with 37 points.

Kotoko line-up: Isaac Amoako, Yaw Frimpong, Prince Anokye, Awal Mohammed, John Kuffour, Michael Akuffu, Edward Afum/Nathaniel Asamoah, Frank Boateng/Samed Oppong, Alex Asamoah/Stephen Oduro, Ahmed Toure, Fatawu Mohammed.

King Faisal: Benjamin Mensah, Samuel Adade, Kwadwo Boateng, Ransford Kwakye/Peter O. Kwarteng, Awudu Nafiu, Pius Awuah/Emmanuel Odoi, George Ekow Annan, Frank Nayrko, Asuandzie Baffoe, Wahab Yahaya, Ofosu Mickey.