Lions refuse to be tamed by the Porcupine
Kumasi Asante Kotoko's determination to snatch the three points at stake in their 26th week Glo Premier League match with Kpando Heart of Lions ran into a wall when the Kpando club refused to be tamed, as both teams fought to a pulsating 2-2 drawn game.
The setting was the Kpando Park, where in 2003 and at a time the Porcupine Warriors were relishing a good run in the league, Heart of Lions, who were then new entrants in the premier league burst Kotoko's bubble, leaving in its trail a string of poor outings, but which the Porcupine Warriors eventually managed to overcome to win their first premier league title.
That defeat to Lions has been embedded in the memory of the entire fabric of Kotoko, to the extent that any match with Lions is seen as a grudge game. It was with such mindset that Kotoko came into the match against Lions on Monday, and after surviving a-first-half dominance by Lions, came into the game and opened the scoring through Nathaniel Asamoah, before Lions secured parity, moments after which Daniel Nii Adjei restored Kotoko's lead.
However, a downpour forced the referee to call the match off, much to the chagrin and disappointment of Kotoko officials and fans, who were of the view that the game could have continued, especially, when the rains had subsided significantly and they were leading 2-1.
Though the match was rained-off, the decision was not enough to kill the determination of the Porcupine Warriors on Tuesday, as they raced into the lead two minutes into the game through Nathaniel Asamoah, following a goal mouth scrimmage. From then, they looked very poised to carry the day though Lions showed no sign of letting go all the three points.
Heart of Lions gave practical meaning to their unwillingness to be tamed when they secured the equaliser through Nana Bonsu in the 53rd minute.
But proving his lethal capability without qualms, Nathaniel Asamoah restored Kotoko's lead, giving him a brace in the match and recording his 13th goal of the season.
Again, as a club with the heart of a lion, Gilbert Fiamenyo, whose lethargy contributed immensely to Heart of Lions' inability to carry the day, secured the equaliser for Lions.
Though Kotoko would have preferred a win, which would have guaranteed them three points, they can console themselves with the fact that the draw still sees them maintaining their second position on the league table, by virtue of better goal difference. They now share the spot with Ashgold, their opponents in the 27th week when the league resumes on May 18, 2011.
On Monday, the match between Aduana Stars and New Edubiase was coasting towards a draw, but when it was replayed on Tuesday, New Edubiase proved that their recent impressive outings coupled with the ruthlessly efficient manner they have been beating opponents were no fluke.
In their last two matches before meeting Aduana, they had romped in eight goals with three against them. And against Aduana Stars, they replicated the performance, beating the defending champions in their own backyard 2-1.