By Akyereko Frimpong Manson
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Accra Hearts of Oak laboured to hold rivals Asante Kotoko to a 1-1 draw at the Accra Sports Stadium in the Super Two clash on Sunday afternoon.Â
Frank Gyamfi caused defender Vincent Atinga to score an own-goal in the 23rd minute but Ivorian defender Robin Gnagne converted from the spot in the 92nd minute to earn a point for the Phobians.
Hearts missed early chances but Kotoko capitalised on a defensive mishap to score the opening goal as winger Frank Gyamfi tore the defense apart and attempted a lobbing cross which came off Atinga's body for the opening goal.
The Phobians pressed, but were listless and outplayed by Kotoko in midfield until youngster Isaac Mensah came off the bench to inspire their comeback. The 17-year-old winning a penalty in the 91st minute for Gnagne to send Joseph Addo the wrong way.
Hearts of Oak coach Herbert Addo made five changes to the side that suffered a 2-0 loss in the reverse fixture as Emmanuel Hayford returned from injury while Thomas Abbey, Kwame Kizito, Gilbert Fiamenyo and Kwaku Andoh were all handed starting role.
Togolese international Komi Foovi Aguidi also lost his place in the starting line-up as he joined youngster Isaac Mensah on the bench.
Tetteh Luggard remain in goal while Robin Gnagne remained as captain, pairing with Vincent Atinga in central defence. Addo stuck to his favourite 4-1-2-1-2 formation.
Asante Kotoko Didi Dramani was forced to alter his line-up with defender Abeiku Ainooson being replaced Akwasi Acheampong in central defence. He partnered Ohene Brenya in a 4-1-3-2 formation.
Ahmed Toure returned to the Accra Sports Stadium to face Hearts of Oak, a club he scored for during the GHALCA Top4 competition just four weeks ago.
Toure dominated talks before kick-off as the red-jerseyed lads from Kumasi tossed onto the pitch for warm. And, when the game got underway, he managed to consume the attention of Kwaku Andoh, Gnagne and Atinga who were on guard at the back for Hearts.
In one moment, he managed to outwit Hearts' chief sentinel and locate Obed Owusu who missed narrowly. This was still early days yet. And as the tie wore on, Hearts continued to discover more problems posed by Kotoko trident in attack.
One of such orchestrations involving Owusu and Toure fetched the opener. The Burkina Faso international of Ivorian descent artfully circled the ball and found Owusu whose tailor-made pass found Gyamfi. His electrifying pace allowing him to outrun Andoh before trying to cross the ball which deflected Vincent Atinga to give Kotoko a 1-0 lead.
Gilbert Fiamenyo fluffed his lines on a couple times before the half ended.
The second-half was no different story for Hearts. Kotoko perpetuated their dominance in the middle with former Aduana Stars midfielder Leonard Tawiah's influence dwarfed in the middle. Toure was replaced by Latif Amadou midway through the half, a change that somewhat gave Hearts some breathing space.
Emmanuel Hayford tried a falling-leave-style free-kick which was palmed away to corner by Joseph Addo. The former Ghana U17 keeper stretching to his elastic limits to slap the ball to corner.
Isaac Mensah's impressive footwork won Hearts a penalty in added-time after he was fouled inside the box by Richard Mpong and Hearts' renowned penalty expert did justice to the kick by sending Addo the wrong way. Kotoko fans reacted by booing him for scoring what they deemed was a controversial penalty award by referee Agbovi.
Kotoko Line-up: Joseph Addo - Rahim Ayew, Amos Frimpong, Akwasi Acheampong, Ohene Brenya - Kwadwo Poku, Richard Mpong, Frank Gyamfi, Obed Owusu - Larbi Koomson, Ahmed Simba Toure.
Hearts of Oak Line-up: Tetteh Luggard - Kwaku Andoh, Isaac Oduro, Robin Gnagne, Vincent Atinga, Leonard Tawiah, Emmanuel Hayford, Richard Yamoah, Gilbert Fiamenyo, Kwame Kizito, Thomas Abbey.