Asante Kotoko are still in search of their first win of the season after drawing 1-1 with Heart of Lions on Sunday.
Two very contentious penalties awarded each side ensured both teams shared the spoils at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Kotoko failed to capitalize on the numerous goal scoring opportunities created in the first half with new signing Seidu Bancey the main culprit.
It was coach Mas-Ud Dramani’s first official game in charge of Kotoko and his strikers in particular were very disappointing on the day.
The former Ghana U-17 women’s team coach just couldn’t stomach the disappointment anymore and effected his first change in the 39th minute – bringing on Nafiu Idrissu for the profligate Bancey.
Lions hardly threatened - being content with sitting back and soaking all the pressure but provided very little on the break.
This gave Kotoko the ammunition to boss the game throughout the first half but had nothing to show for at the end of the first 45 minutes.
Kotoko resumed the second half from where they left off in the first before an impressive crowd at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The Lions defence were however not budging – defending gallantly much to the approval of their coach and former Asante Kotoko assistant trainer Sarfo Castro.
Kotoko however got their lucky break when referee Ibrahim Sumaila awarded a contentious penalty kick with eight minutes left to play after Nafiu Idrissu was adjudged to have been fouled in an aerial
challenge.
Striker Kofi Nti-Boakye stepped up to coolly slot home – sending the goalkeeper to the wrong direction to breathe a massive sigh of relief from Kotoko’s bench and more importantly the fans.
Lions who had defended very well all game long just had nothing to offer despite getting in on the action late on.
Substitute Ransford Osei missed a glorious chance in added-on time to make the points safe for Kotoko who were punished immediately at the other end with another soft penalty awarded to Lions.
Nana Agyiri elected himself to take and planted the ball well beyond goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye to draw level much to the disappointment of Kotoko fans.
Source: MTNFootball.com