Hearts, Kotoko draw 2-2 in Peace match
Accra Hearts of Oak and rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko yesterday drew 2-2 in a peace match organised by the United Nations Association of Ghana (UNA-Ghana) at the Accra Sports Stadium.
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Organised to promote peace ahead of the 2016 General Elections, Hearts took the lead in the 34th minute through Vincent Atinga, who converted a penalty after Cosmos Dauda was brought down in the box.
The Phobians dominated the exchanges in the early stages and connected with some beautiful passes which attracted loud cheers from the large crowd.
Playing in front of their vociferous fans who thronged the venue in their numbers, Hearts dictated the pace and created some glorious chances but could not increase the tally.
After recess, the game stepped into a higher gear as Kotoko discovered their bearings and carried the fight to the Phobians therefore, it came as little surprise when Halifa Sadogo fetched the equaliser in the 67th minute.
After the goal, the Porcupine Warriors piled the pressure on their opponents and in one of such exchanges, Amos Frimpong, who had earlier missed a penalty, atoned for the miss when he put Kotoko ahead.
But the Phobians stormed back into the fray and Mustapha Essuman equalised for them in the 78th to minute to bring back the chants of the fans.
The well-attended game provided the homesters a fine opportunity to reverse their recent poor showing against Kotoko but strker Samuel Yeboah’s third goal in the dying minutes was ruled off side by Referee George Lamptey, this made the fans jeer at him.
A scheduled penalty shoot out to decide the winner was cancelled abruptly as the organisers promised a return leg in Kumasi at a date to be announced later.
Hearts’ Inusah Musah and Emmanuel Gyamfi of Kotoko, were adjudged the Man of The Match and the Fair Play Player winners respectively and received $1,000 each as prizes.