Kotoko succumb 0-2 to All Blacks

Swedru Gamba All Blacks played a highly spirited game to inflict a 2-0 defeat on Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the 15th week fixture of the Glo Premier League match played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Wednesday.

All Blacks, who appeared on the turf with confidence written on their faces, took Kotoko by storm and scored their first goal in the 13th minute through Obed Owusu whose 3-metre drive beat goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye in goal for Kotoko after the defence of All Blacks had soaked incessant forays from Kotoko.

Kotoko accepted the challenge and raised their game, created many scoring chances but could not translate any of such opportunities into goals as the defence of All Blacks stood gallantly.

With the Kotoko supporters sitting on thorns as All Blacks took control of the game, Clement Coffie made it 2-0 for the visitors in the 41st minute when Soulama failed to grab a shot after a defensive blunder.

Sensing danger, Coach Opeele Boateng brought in Stephen Oduro for Samuel Inkoom in the 45th minute but his appearance did not change the pace of the game as the visitors continued to dominate.

Kotoko's Alex Asamoah took over from Francis Coffie in the 47th minute and his inclusion brought some bite into their attacking machinery.

Alex Asamoah was flashed the yellow card in the 55th minute for misconduct.

In the 67th minute, Francis Larbi of All Blacks, who had earlier received a yellow card, was detected by Kotoko officials as having changed jersey with Clement Coffie and when the Referee's attention was drawn to it, Larbi was given the marching orders by Referee D.A.Mohammed of Accra while Coffie was shown a yellow card.

Playing with 10 men, All Blacks packed their defence to make sure that they carried the day.

Kotoko with their pride at stake and to avoid the wrath of their teeming supporters, who thronged the stadium, because of the series of losses from visiting teams, exhausted their substitution with Stephen Manu taking over from Louis Agyeman but could not redeem a goal.

GNA