By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, Dec. 15, GNA – Asante Kotoko left it late to snatch all three points in their match week 13 clash with Accra Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.
Albert Amoah captalised on a defensive blunder to score the only goal that separated the two teams in a grueling encounter which left many fans sitting on tenterhooks for most part of the Ghana version of El-Classico.
The slippery striker saw an opportunity in a miscommunication between goalkeeper Benjamin Asare and Kelvin Osei Asibey and stole the ball from them before guiding it into an empty net at a time everyone thought the match had ended in a stalemate.
Asante Kotoko hit the ground running right from the commencement of the match, wasting a glorious opportunity to go ahead under one minute.
A swift incursion into the goal area of the visitors saw Amoah coming face to face with the opposing goalkeeper, but failed to hit the back of the net as the shot-stopper blocked his close-range shot.
The Porcupines Warriors continued to probe for the opener, keeping the Phobians busy with defensive duties in the first 10 minutes.
After surviving the initial incessant attacks, Hearts of Oak began to warm themselves into the game, reducing Kotoko’s dominant possession.
But it was Kotoko who almost stole the lead on the 26th minute when Amoah’s connection to a cross from the left missed the top corner of the woodwork by inches.
The former Olympics attacker was presented another opportunity two minutes later with only the goalkeeper to beat, but his sluggish approach allowed Asibey to make a timely intervention.
Fans of the home team were in a jubilant mood on the 38th minute but their excitement was short-lived as referee Prince Okoto Ntiamoah ruled Amoah’s goal offside.
The last seven minutes of the half saw both teams being physical as they battled each other in search of that all-important opener which never came before the referee ended proceedings for the first half.
Accra Hearts of Oak started the second half on the front foot as they made early incursions into the Kotoko goal area but the backline of the Porcupines repelled all the threats.
Kotoko fought back after the brief dominance of the visiting team, forcing Asare to make two brilliant saves in quick succession to prevent his side from conceding the opener.
The visitors came close to breaking the deadlock with four minutes to the end of the match but for a spectacular save by Mohammed Camara who parried a point-blank strike from Mawuli Wayo over the cross bar.
The Porcupine Warriors, however, broke the deadlock in what turned out be the last action of the game, sending their vociferous into wild jubilation.
The result means Asante Kotoko has leapfrogged the Phobians to the sixth position, two points clear their arch rivals.
GNA