MATCH REPORT: ASANTE KOTOKO CROWNED MTN FA CUP CHAMPIONS-SECURES THE DOUBLE

There were massive fireworks at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon as League Champions Asante Kotoko grabs the double they have been anticipating when they beat Inter Allies 2-1 in the finals of the MTN FA Cup.

Goals from petit winger Richard Mpong and burly striker Seidu Bancey were all the Porcupine Warriors needed to secure themselves their first FA Cup title in four years after reaching the finals on two occasions.

Asante Kotoko were missing the services of their head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani who was on national duty at the United states as scout for the senior national team the Black Stars, which eventually saw  Assistant coach Michael Osei standing in for him as the head coach for the day being assisted by Youth Development Coach Karim Zito.

It was Inter Allies who showed an early maneuver when forward Ndiayi Talla failed to convert a one-on-one situation with Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Joseph Addo just under 1 minutes. Asante Kotoko quickly responded to the call when Striker Abdul Aziz Yusif also blasted a shot wide from a nice flick on by Seidu Bancey in the 3^rd minutes.

The Pocupine warriors seemed to have settled in the game after Yusif’s attempt as they started controlling the pace of the game, stringing their passes together excellently, keeping Inter Allies on their toes. Shooting from afar and testing the goalkeeper in post for Allies Osei Kwame. Yes! The goal was coming. The League Champions had controlled the game in the last 15 minutes, and it came as no surprise when Richard Mpong (Pedro) capitalized on a defensive blander by Allies defender Owusu Ansah who tried to head the ball back to his goalkeeper only for the Kotoko winger to smash a powerful strike into the top roof corner of the post in the 15^th minutes to put his side ahead. The stadium goes wild as Asante Kotoko supporters at the popular stand end of the field burst in jubilant mood.

Asante Kotoko still kept possession even after the goal. Things seem not to be going well for Hebert Addo and his lads. The frustration was written all over watching the astute Ghanaian tactician on the touch line. He might be wondering whether Kotoko has got an antidote to his tactics. Situation became worse when Richard Mpong nearly got his side’s second after he struck the ball from 25 yards only for Allies defender Baba Mensah to intervene in the 27^th minutes. It was all Asante Kotoko as their fans kept urging them on to get the second goal singing the famous Asante Kotoko Oseee Yeee!!!! Song.

In the 32^nd minutes Micheal Akuffo who had paired beautifully with Jordan Opoku in midfield had his shot go over the bar. Again in the 40^th minutes, a perfect cross by Abdul Aziz Yusif from the right hand side of attack field failed to reach anyone as the chance went begging. Inter Allies goalkeeper Osei Kwame was the only savior and bright spot at this moment as he kept his side in the game with some important saves. Akuffu’s long range shot in the 42^nd minutes went straight into the hands of the young goalkeeper.

The momentum in the game came down when there was a heavy collision between Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Joseph Addo and Inter Allies striker Sherrif Mohammed in the 44^th minutes. Kotoko defender Amos Frimpong had his header go wide in the 45^th minutes. After 45 minutes plus 3 minutes addition time, referee William Agbovi blew his whistle to bring the first half to an end. Asante Kotoko obviously was the better side in the first department of the game.

Back from recess, Inter Allies raised their game as they pushed Kotoko to their own half. Yes! It seems they are now heeding to the tactics of their head coach, as they piled on the pressure in the first 5 minutes in the second half. Hebert Addo pulled out defender Baba Mensah after the 21 year old picked up a knock and brought on Burkina-be defender Dauda Diop. After some nice exchange of passes in front of the goal area of Asante Kotoko, Abdul Fatau- Safiu had his shot blown over the bar in the 51^st minutes. Acting coach Michael Osei also brought out goal scorer Richard Mpong for former FC Nania skipper Prince Baffoe in the 52^nd minutes after the former also picked up a knock.

An appeal for a penalty from the Kotoko fans in the 53^rd minutes when Prince Baffoe took on Diop from the left flacks only for Baffoe to be fouled in the box. An unclear situation though. Tough and bold decision by Agbovi as he whistles for a corner kick. Inter Allies finally got the equalizer in the 58^th minutes when Senegalese striker Ndiaye Talla powered in a shot from 16 yards to beat goalkeeper Joseph Addo to draw his side level.

The “eleven is to one” boys are back on track. The anxiety fell on the Kumapem lads. Inter Allies have hoisted their impetus after that equalizer. Things were working for Hebert Addo and his boys now. Acting coach for the Porcupine warriors Michael Osei brought on striker Isaac Boakye for Abdul Aziz Yusif who had been kept out of the game in the second half.

Another penalty appeal from Kotoko in the 66^th minutes as Seidu Bancey was held by Allies skipper Joseph Aidoo in the penalty box, but referee William Agbovi  for the second time will not take non of it as he urge play to continue. Asante Kotoko looked determined in the final 20 minutes of the game as created some few chances. After 3 minutes of additional time William Agbovi blew his final whistle to end proceedings.

The extra time was just balance as both side dominated and created opportunities in both half, but the moment of the game came just 5 minutes to time when Seidu Bancey tapped a rebound from close range after Inter Allies goalkeeper Osei Kwame failed to grab a Jordan Opoku shot to help the League champion secure their first double since 1935.