Kotoko and Hearts clash again next month in ‘President Cup’ two days before Independence day

As Asante Kotoko already led Hearts of Oak 12 points prior last Sunday’s clash, the game would have been traded on low key. But the superiority contest that has underpinned this fixture throughout time brought about a pre and real-time match intensity.

The starting lineup for both clubs communicated coaches desire to pick all three points last Sunday. Samuel Boadu named a strong side with the likes of Afriyie Barnieh, Mohammed Alhassan, Robert Addo Sowah, Fatawu Mohammed, Gladson Awako and Sulley Muntari in there to feature against Asante Kotoko.

Prosper Narteh Ogum named undroppables Abdul Ganiyu, Augustine Agyapong, Sheriff Mohammed, Richmond Lamptey, George Mfegue and Etouga Mbella in his starting lineup but the surprise package was Justice Blay who needed to start the game from the bench.

While Asante Kotoko were handed a surprise package in their starting lineup following Blay’s drop, Hearts of Oak were handed similar fate after club’s top scorer Kofi Kordzi named in the subs. His place was taken over by Obeng Jr. who was supported by Afriyie Barnieh up front as Hearts of Oak search for victory.

They could do that starting the game as the brighter side, making a bold early incursion after Gladson Awako’s strike inside the box was parried away for a corner but the resultant delivery yielded nothing for the hosts.

A moment later, Gladson Awako played Afriyie Barhieh through the left channel but Ibrahim Danlad reacted the quickest to clear the lines for Asante Kotoko.

Hearts of Oak had dominated the game quite better in the open minutes as Asante Kotoko struggled to organize themselves. The likes of Sulley Muntari, Salim Adams and Gladson Awako had bossed the midfield and connected well with Afriyie Barnieh in particular.

Within their period of dominance, Sulley Muntari nearly put Hearts of Oak ahead 10′ minutes into the game after Fatawu Mohammed header from Awako’s corner fell to Muntari who acrobatically struck over the bar from the 6- yard box.

There was no way Hearts will dominate Kotoko to full time with the visitors moments only waiting to happen. Kotoko should have gone down by at least 2-0 in the first 14′ minutes should Hearts of Oak make very good use of their chances neatly created.

Augustine Agyapong sparked Kotoko’s first best chance of the game after dancing through to Heart final third, the right-back passed back to Mudasiru Salifu who lofted a pass over for Mbella but the Cameroon’s one-time ball into roof of the net was nicely punched over the bar by Richard Atta.

A moment later, Kwadwo Obeng Jr hit the woodwork in an unlucky manner after Afriyie Barnieh won the ball from Yussif Mubarik’s slippery and located Obeng Jr in an empty space but the forward’s effort sided with the bottom right posts as Kotoko escape conceding the first goal around 16′ minutes into the game.

Asante Kotoko needed to be watchful over some big chances that continually fall the way of Hearts of Oak. However, their back line did well not to allow Hearts the opener. Ganiyu, at those Hearts chances, provided series of distractions as the hosts failed to find back of the net.

Muntari, Nuredeen and Salim were given moments to learn how dangerous Asante Kotoko would be when concede spaces in their defensive zone after Richmond Lamptey tormenting them just behind the Hearts box. One of Lamptey’s dazzling moments won Asante Kotoko a free kick only steps away from the Hearts box but Imoro Ibrahim’s delivery went wide for a goal-kick. Immediately, Dickson Afoakwa got the better of Fatawu Mohammed, step-overing the Hearts captain but shot outside netting.

Muntari and Salim sat deep- that as a checker on Richmond Lampety- with the two midfielders intending long balls to feed Barnieh and Obeng Jr who had run on necks of Abdul Ganiyu and Yussif Mubarik on several occasions but found it difficult to overpass the Kotoko central defenders. It was a bit surprise that Kotoko couldn’t find the opener around that time. Applause however must go to Hearts’ resolute defensive setup.

Asante Kotoko were dealt huge blow, being forced to make unplanned and unpleasant substitution after Imoro Ibrahim limped off the pitch with Patrick Asmah taking over his place at the left-back 10 minutes to first half. Salim Adams launched a placement attack to give Hearts of Oak the lead but his curler to the right side was grabbed completely by Ibrahim Danlad.

In a return action, Richmond Lamptey who had operated effectively in the 10. role found George Mfegue with a sweet carpet pass to the right edge, the Cameroonian teased Dannis Korsah and beat the left-back in a dribble attempt just inside the box but his weaker left foot short that seemingly entering the bottom right corner was immediately grabbed by Richard Atta.

Asante Kotoko appealed for a potential penalty moments later when Lamptey was brought down in the box but the referee saw much better of a soft incident that could land the visitors a spot kick.

Hearts went in for similar argument after Gladson Awako combined well with Afriyie Barnieh at the left edge while the later was fouled in the box few flashes to end of the first half but the referee overlooked Hearts claim.

The hosts looked the better side at the end of the first half after creating typical best chances to take the lead but one could fail to identify their problems with Obeng Jr and Barnieh acting ghost forwards in front of goal despite the former hitting the woodwork. Maybe Samuel Baodu could know what the missing problem was and make corrections into the second half.

But they were nearly punished early in the second half before any supposedly corrections made would be demonstrated on the pitch. Etouga Mbella should have scored a minute into the second half but his diving header from Asmah’s cross tiny went over the bar. The GPL top scorer was left unmarked inside the box only that his header lacked the accuracy a bit.

A moment later, Mfegue and Asmah combined nicely at the left edge, the final pass to Lamptey who should have scored with his one-time effort went straight into Atta’s arms.

Hearts smelled midfield problems and Samuel Boadu made two early second half subs with Salim Adams and Sulley Muntari making way for Frederick Ansah Botchway and Isaac Mensah.

Kotoko crippled Hearts of Oak with the hosts finding no room to make impact like in the first half. Kotoko continued to push for the opener. Lamptey nearly put Kotoko ahead after receiving a pass from right edge but his effort that was initially saved, closely beat Atta to the net as the Hearts keeper flew to cleared it off the lines.

Intensity reduced in later part of the game affecting the likelihood for any of the teams to score the winner. Justice Blay and Richard Boadu entered the frame in guiding the back line for a drawn game as Kotoko appeared to have accepted that fate.

Hearts had no options than to accept the game’s draw fate after initial attempts from Isaac Mensah and Gladson Awako in the Kotoko box at closing stage failed to enter the net.

Kotoko lead the GPL table with 37 points after Ghana Premier League first round, 7 move above second place Bechem United. They face Dreams FC in start of the second round on Sunday before travelling to Bechem United while Hearts play Legon Cities and WAFA respectively.