Match Report: Medeama 1-1 Asante Kotoko as it happened, Ghana Premier League 2020/2021
Medeama SC hosted Asante Kotoko in outstanding Ghana Premier League game but nearly saw being leapfrogged by the Kumasi based side. Abass Mohammed’s late penalty salvage Medeama from first home defeat but winless run at home extended after 1-1 draw against Kotoko.
Justice Blay was missing from Medeama lineup as Samuel Boadu gave the nod to Eric Ofori-Antwi, Samuel Appiah, Baba Musah, Daniel Egyin, Patrick Yeboah, Kwasi Donsu, Eric Kwakwa, Richard Boadu, Rashid Nortey, Kwadwo Asamoah and Agyenim Boateng.
At the receiving end, Johnson Smith made four changes to the side the lost to Al Hilal last Wednesday in the Total Caf Champions League with Samuel Frimpong, Habib Mohammed, Emmanuel Sarkodie and Osman Ibrahim replacing Christopher Nettey, Wahab Adams, Adom Frimpong and William Opoku Mensah respectively.
The home side dominated the first 20’ minutes in a bid to open the quest to pick their first home Ghana Premier League victory but failed to break the defense of Asante Kotoko. The game turned end-to-end action in the preceding few minutes before Kotoko took control till end of the first half.
Medeama should have Kwadwo Asamoah, Richard Boadu and Eric Kwakwa to thank who were influential in their offensive with Asamoah in particular proving difficult for Ganiyu, Imoro Ibrahim and Habib Mohammed to handle.
Johnson Smith may have worried about the quietness of Osman Ibrahim and Kwame Opoku upfront after Medeama defense keeping a close check on the duo in the entire first half, but was delighted not to see his side fall down as the first half ended goalless draw.
In a game that not many chances were created, scoreless draw was much expected and while that results was on course happening, Kwame Opoku rose within the ranks to change expectations putting Kotoko ahead midway (74’) in the game. Opoku broke the deadlock few minutes earlier bore his first goal but his effort was ruled offside.
Kwadwo Asamoah should have took the lead for Medeama but after dancing his way through Kotoko defense and simply going one-on-one with Razak Abelora, he failed to show class in front of goal- or somehow Kotoko shot-stopper Aberola showed maturity after pulling a stunning save to deny Asamoah the opener to ensure the game remain barren on the 70’ minute.
Afterwards, Medeama never gave up continued to ask questions in final third especially from Rasheed Nortey, Richard Boadu and Agyenim Boateng to find the leveler but were counter-troubled by Osman Ibrahim and quite Emmanuel Gyamfi who have assisted in the first in Kotoko’s goal.
Gyamfi lofted the ball over the defense line which Opoku timely run unto the pass before firing low to the bottom corner.
William Opoku Mensah replaced Osman Ibrahim whiles Godfred Asiamah made way for Fabio Gama Dos Santos as the Brazilian play-maker’s first touch was ruled offside.
He combined neatly with Imoro Ibrahim on the left flank but Gama was brought down for a foul in midfield.
Few minutes later, he got the better of Medeama right-back, after receiving a pass deep from Ibrahim in what Kotoko have broken down Medeama’s attack on the left, Gama played a long one over Samuel Appiah to Opoku Mensah.
With Medeama continual pressure for the equalizer, a moment saw the ball struck the hands of Kotoko defender Habib Mohammed which lead to a penalty awarded whereas second half substitute Abass Mohammed calmly converted to send Medeama on level in stoppage time (89’).
The results see Kotoko’s failure to maintain lead continues as last-minute conceding continues to cause Kotoko crawling on the Ghana Premier League tablw.
From six games, Kotoko now sit 6th on the log with 9 points but Kwame Opoku ended his four games goal drought and now extend his goal tally to 3 emerging as the club’s top scorer so far.
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