MATCH REPORT: KOTOKO-HEARTS SUPER CLASH ENDS IN STALEMATE.

It was yet another intriguing encounter between the two most glamorous clubs in Ghana as Kumasi Asante Kotoko took on arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak at the Kumasi Babayara Sports Stadium on Sunday. 

As Kotoko seek to crown their league title with a victory over their sworn rivals, Hearts of Oak on the other hand were eager to cause an upset at the Babayara Sports Stadium to blight the party for the Porcupine warriors.

The much anticipated game which saw some pretty good football especially in the first half ended in a dead heat as both teams failed to record a goal at the end of 90 minutes.

It was Asante Kotoko who started on a bright note controlling affairs at the early stages of the game as they stringed their passes together in the first 20 minutes. But the Phobians gradually warmed themselves into the game as they came up with some few descent chances. 

Asante Kotoko were denied what seem to be a clear penalty in the 28^th minutes after an Issah Yakubu strike struck the arm of Hearts of Oak defender Kwaku Andoh in the penalty box. Meanwhile, the Phobians were also denied of a clear penalty in the 45^th minutes when Ollenu Ashitey who had been a thorn in the flesh for the Kotoko defence was fouled by Ben Adama in the 18 yard box.

 The match which seemed to be a fifty fifty game however saw Hearts of Oak coach Mohammed Polo making a force substitution in the dying embers of the first half as Robin Gnagne who had been a pillar at the Phobian defence picked up a head injury and would have to be taken off for Phillip Boampong. Asante Kotoko had been slightly ahead of Hearts of oak at the end of the first 45 minutes.

Back from recess, the phobians however took the game to the homesters as they dominated possession in the second half. Emmanuel Hayford could have registered the first goal after he capitalized on a mistake by Joseph Addo who was in post for Kotoko. But his shot was timely blocked on the line by Kotoko defender Abieko Ainooson to keep the Kumapem lads in the game.

Kotoko’s Michael Akuffo’s thunderous free kick half way in the second half was punched away by Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Tetteh Lugard. Kotoko however failed to get the ball at the back of the net when Isaac Boakye’s header was saved on the line by Tetteh Lugard with Seidu Bancey also failing to connect the rebound in the 83^rd minute.

The two teams however had to settle for a draw after ninety plus five minutes of additional time.

Meanwhile, the Porcupine warriors however received the giant trophy after the game for emerging as the 2013/14 First Capital plus Bank Premier League Champions.

By Frank Darkwah

Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoff