Ghana Premier League: Asante Kotoko hold Aduana Stars in Dormaa
Aduana Stars were held to a goalless stalemate by Asante Kotoko in Week 27 of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League (GPL) at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park on Saturday.
Aduana started the match in a spirited mood, controlling much of possession but were unable to make it count on the scoresheet.
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Asante Kotoko quickly found their rhythm and began forcing the hosts to coil into their shell.
Samuel Bio, who struck the dagger in the hearts of the Porcupine faithful, nearly fetched the opener for Aduana Stars but his long drive was equally dealt with by goalkeeper Razak Abalora.
In the 7th minute, Bio again went close to breaking the deadlock but could not direct his header after being fed by a sweet cross from Sam Adams.
Fans of Asante Kotoko at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park thought they had the opener after Mudasiru Salifu struck the ball beautifully from the edge of the area, but the ball went just wide.
It was not long as the Fire Boys had a penalty shout waved off by referee Julian Nunoo after Aduana’s forward Bright Adjei was bundled off the ball by Mudasiru.
Aduana Stars had a perfect chance to go ahead but Sam Adams did not keep his composure as he effort was parried off the bar by goalkeeper Abalora.
In the 42nd minute, Sam Adams was presented with another clear opportunity to put his side ahead but he again fluffed his line as Kotoko’s goalie Abalora made a fantastic save to deny him.
The visitors returned from recess with lots of zeal in their bid to open the scoring. The Kumasi-based lads nearly got the opener after breaking free in Aduana's half but Fabio Gama failed to glide the final pass to Nettey who was unmarked.
Kotoko coach Mariano Barreto made two quick substitutions, replacing Emmanuel Keyekeh and Augustine Okrah with Latif Anabila and Evans Adomako respectively.
Former Vendsyssel FC forward Solomon Sarfo Taylor also came on for captain Emmanuel Gyamfi.
In the 65th minute, Habib Mohammed nearly gifted Aduana a chance after failing to control the ball in the box but the defender was lucky to have survived the scare.
Kotoko finally created a decent chance ten minutes later with a fine pass by Anabila to open the defence of Aduana, but striker Andy Kumi reacted slowly as goalkeeper Joseph Addo superbly timed his run to tip the ball to corner.
Kotoko appeared much more organized in the final embers of the game but failed to bury the half chances to go ahead.
The result saw Aduana Stars move to 7th with 40 points while Asante Kotoko leapfrogged rivals Hearts of Oak on the table with 47 points.
Hearts, meanwhile, have a date with Berekum Chelsea at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.