Sunday , January 19 2025

Kumasi Asante Kotoko Soulama Pour Acid On Hearts

The stars are bright, but that of Soulama Abdulaye are scurried. His howler late into the first half was the only goal recorded in the ‘Super Clash’ as Hearts were left licking the bottom of the meal served by the Premier league board (PLB).
A football-loving fan relish a clash between the two most glamorous clubs in the history of Ghana football, and they made that presence when the two sides met at the  Accra sports stadium.Hearts v Kotoko
The boom that accompanied the game erupted the atmosphere, and the vociferous spectators coloured the four corners of the country’s Wembley.
Accra Hearts of Oak began the game on the front foot, creating early openings, forcing fans of the Porcupine Warriors to chew their nails in the stands.
Their dominance was curtailed by an early injury to Owusu Bempah who had to be replaced by Kennedy Appiah with barely a quarter of the hour played.
The Phobians continued from where they left off before the injury rudely interrupted the flow of the game. Experienced Samuel Yeboah was denied by the cross bar in the 8th minute. A super free kick from Isaac Mensah danced its way onto his forehead, but his timing was kindergarten-like as he powered it on the cross bar, unlucky? May be, but he  could have planted the ball better.
Hearts of Oak came close again after a brilliant attack initiated by Isaac Mensah.
The ‘Ashaiman Messi’ as he is affectionately called, lobbed the ball over the back line of Asante Kotoko, sending Yeboah one-on-one with Ernest Sowah in Kotoko’s post, however, he blasted the ball into vacuum.Hearts v Kotoko
Kotoko began stringing passes much to the delight of the fully packed Accra sports stadium. But they lacked the ingredient required to serve a better meal.

Isaac Mensah was a thorn on the flesh of Kotoko and forced Edwin Tuffour into two quick clumsy challenges and he was booked on both occasions, which saw him sent off the pitch dejected.

Kotoko were not down spirited with 10-men, and forced Hearts into childish mistakes. They pimped forward and grabbed the a goal on the run of play.

A lob by Theophilus Nyame into the Hearts area and follow up by Dauda Mohammed forced Richard Akrofi to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper, Soulaman Abdulaye, but the glovesman mistimed the ball and scissor kicked it into his own net, and the roof of the stadium was erupted. There was nothing more before recess.Hearts came out of their blocks gunning for the needed equaliser, but Cosmos Dauda sold his goal-getting boots, fluffing all the glorious chances.Supporters

The Phobians were on course to drawing level, however, the heat from the spectators unsettled their play. Kotoko fans hooted at every miss kick and their loss of ideas could be felt.

Michael Osei deviced the strategy of intercepting passes rather than winning the ball, and it worked to perfection as Hearts were frustrated. However they created the chances required, but failed to convert them.

Hearts v KotokoAt the other end of the pitch, a dinking ball from left back Eric Donkor beat the defensive line of Hearts of Oak and Dauda Mohammed capitalized.  Souaman Abdulah raced off his line to curtail the danger, but he ended fouling Dauda, giving Awal Mohammed no option than to reduce them to ten men.

The resulting free kick was harmless. Hearts attacked through the left flank with Ashittey Olenu who came on for Sarbah Laryea.

The winger drove in a ferocious cross, but the unmarked Cosmas Dauda failed to score. Dauda Mohammed could have doubled Kotoko’s lead, but Samuel Akurugu pulled off a super save to keep the game at the reach of Hearts.

The Phobians huffed and puffed but were unable to grab the equaliser, and Kotoko leave the Accra sports stadium with all points, extending Hearts’ wait to beat them at the venue to seven years.

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