Hearts maintain grip at the top
Accra Hearts of Oak invoked their never say die motto to stage a second half fight to hold Kumasi Asante Kotoko to a 1-1 draw at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday.
Advertisement
Having lost twice in succession to Kotoko in Accra, the Phobians looked determined to avoid total dominance by their arch-rivals this season. Sergio Traguil’s men dug deep to rescue a point through a strike by new sensation, Patrick Razak, which cancelled Kwame Boateng’s first half goal to maintain Hearts’ hold on the top spot of the league log, as well as their unbeaten away record all season.
The draw was a big relief for Kotoko’s under-fire coach, Michael Osei, even though his side have not won their last four games.
Following yesterday's impressive performance, Kotoko’s Team Manager, Godwin Ablordey, has thrown his weight behind Coach Osei to turn their fortunes around and also to be confirmed as the substantive helmsman by the club’s board of directors.
“We don't need any fresh coach. We are capable, for we have done a lot with the current players and I hope we can deliver.
“In any case, what is the new coach coming to add. We have done all there needs to be done. And we shall get better?”, Ablordey, fondly referred to as “Champion” said at the post-match press conference.
Indeed, the Graphic Sports gathered that Osei’s job and that of Kotoko’s entire technical team were on the line and they would have been fired if the club had lost to their age-old rivals, having earlier suffered a 4-1 pummelling at the hands of Ebusua Dwarfs in Cape Coast last Wednesday.
Kotoko, who came into the match as underdogs shot ahead in the 17th minute to silence their critics through Boateng. A pile-driver by diminutive Emmanuel Gyamfi from outside the penalty box was pushed onto the path of lurking Boateng who fired home from an acute angle past goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama whose defenders were caught ball-watching.
Until the goal, Hearts were in the driving seat but suddenly lost focus despite coming close to scoring on a number of occasions as the Porcupine Warriors grew in confidence. Gyimah turned tormentor-in-chief at the right flanks as a visibly tired Dauda Mohammed, who was substituted in the second half, struggled to complement his colleague's effort in attack.
Kotoko returned from recess in control of the exchanges but against the run of play, Hearts came on level terms when stocky Patrick Razak latched onto a through ball to displace goalkeeper Ernest Sowah in the 51st minute for a deserved equalising goal.
Yesterday, Sekondi Hasaacas defeated Dream FC 2-0 through goals by Richmond Kwadwo Poku (47th and 72nd minutes) to move his side just above 13th-placed Dwarfs who held defending champions AshantiGold 1-1 at Obuasi.
Aduana Stars moved up to the third position after defeating Liberty Professionals 1-0 at Dormaa-Ahenkro.