Ghana Premier League: Kotoko, K. Faisal share points in local derby

Lack of precision upfront was the bane of Asante Kotoko, as they settled for a 1-1 drawn game with King Faisal, in their Glo-Premier League Day-14 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi.

The Porcupine Warriors had themselves to blame for squandering the numerous chances that came their way with Seidu Bansi, keeping the supporters on the edge with his lackadaisical attitude towards goal.

The match, which was a local derby, saw the two teams being in an uncompromising posture in most departments with host  Faisal, making first incursion at goal in the fifth minute when Sulley Mohammed’s, long drive at goal missed target  narrowly.

Three minutes on, Mohammed, who was unmarked received a pass from skipper Ransford Kwakye, in the 18-yard box in swift counter-attack and unleashed a powerful shot which went wide.

Kotoko survived the early scare and moved to tighten their midfield to halt the incessant attacks. Soon, speedster Richard Mpong, outpaced his marker right in the middle and delivered a shot which resulted in a penalty kick in the 38th minute after Faisal’s Pius Baffour, in a desperate attempt to clear the ball handled it.

Kofi Nti Boakye, shot Kotoko into the lead when he connected home a rebound after goalkeeper Iddrisu Ibrahim, punched into play Seidu Bansi’s, spot-kick.

Faisal came in strongly in the second half and fetched the equalizer in the 60th minute through Prince Boateng, who ghosted past his marker to slot home a Ransford Kwakye, in-swinger.

Kotoko, from then on piled up the pressure on Faisal and succeeded to punch loopholes in the Faisal defence but Bansi, wasted the successive chances that came his way in the 70th, 80th and 85th minutes, respectively.

Source: GNA