Dominant in Asante Kotoko jurisdiction over the last two weeks is the run away from camp of their two Sudanese stars after the Ghanaians tripped to United States for 2024 Capital City Africa Cup against DC United. Traveling documents challenges mean more Kotoko players were unable to travel to the US seeing Kotoko crafted into a Ghanaian select side who played and beat DC United U18s 2-1 at Audi Stadium in Washington.
Unfortunately, only one of the Sudanese, Abdulhamid Esmat, was a starter for Kotoko and the absence of left back saw the calling in of Patrick Asiedu in the position. Majority of Prosper Ogum’s eleven was maintained in their welcoming of reigning champions Samartex to the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium.
Kotoko have been in a good form fighting to a second position on the Ghana Premier League table before the International break. They faced a risk when meeting the GPL champions due to their inability to punish tough sides in recent times.
But Kotoko appear to tackle that challenge partially this season despite been stretched by Young Apostles in their first home game. Kotoko quickly took their stance as the home side, dominated and piled pressure on Samartex but got a clear breakthrough in creating clear opportunities in middle of the first half.
Kotoko finally took the lead from a unbright situation after Patrick Asiedu held onto a ball at the left edge with Samartex numbers, teased his closest opponent with a small turn-around before sending in unconfident ball that run to Albert Amoah and the forward finished past Kofi Baah.
The opener did not change the quality of the game which was much thought of before the start because of the background of both sides especially for Samartex who are coming from African football, the CAF Champions League.
Despite the poor quality of play, there was no deliberate attempts to improve the condition as clubs look eager for goals and Samartex got theirs but failed utilized.
Kotoko’s intent to double their lead rose as a protracted possession saw Emmanuel Antwi connected Amoah with a flying pass, Amoah beat Samartx defender to a clearer angle and fired a powerful shot at goal but Kofi Baah saved to a corner.
Samartex rounded their play in later part of the game, for the first time in the show, controlling proceeding but the men to latch onto the passes were missing. In their last move to the end of that situation a pass found Seidu Abubakar but the marked centre forward was ruled offside.
Baba Yahaya, Elvis Kyei Baffour and Fernando Bassey’s substitutions, this time joining the action, improved Kotoko’s play. Later on, Kotoko tensely knocked Samartex doors in attempt to extend their lead but rarely shot at goal, and neither opened the visitors’ defense.
For the first time in many outings over the years, Kotoko enjoyed total control throughout of a game and for once avoided being placed under pressure when leading narrowly. Kotoko’s victory gives them their fourth victory of the season and moved to top of the Ghana Premier League table with 14 points after 6 games.
