Kotoko win Super 2 despite 1-1 with Hearts in Accra

An erratic Accra Hearts of Oak side needed a contentious spot kick awarded by FIFA referee William Agbovi in the dying embers of Sunday’s Super 2 Cup encounter, to redeem their image by holding rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko to a 1-1 draw at the Accra Sports Stadium.

An erratic Accra Hearts of Oak side needed a contentious spot kick awarded by FIFA referee William Agbovi in the dying embers of Sunday’s Super 2 Cup encounter, to redeem their image by holding rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko to a 1-1 draw at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The draw did not stop the Kotoko faithful to celebrate winning the special pre-season challenge encounter among the two powerhouses, having beaten the Phobians 2-0 in the first leg clash at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi a week ago.

In what might have looked like another payday for the Porcupine Warriors, Frank Sarfo Gyamfi put the visitors ahead in the 23rd minute, but Hearts continued to labour for the equaliser until Referee Agbovi hesitantly whistled for an infringement in favour of Hearts’ Isaac Mensah, who had fallen in Kotoko’s penalty box without any visible contact on him.

The decision did not go down well with the massive Kotoko fans in attendance as they pelted the referee with sachet water in protest, while security personnel escorted the match officials to the dressing room after the match.

Kotoko had earlier dominated proceedings with some delectable passes much to the admiration of the crowd, but Amos Frimpong and Larbi Koomson wasted the initial scoring opportunities that came their way in the fourth and sixth minutes respectively.

And while the visitors kept mounting the pressure on Coach Herbert Addo’s side, winger Frank Sarfo Gyamfi initiated a good run on the right into the Hearts 18-yard box before unleashing a shot which beat Luggard Tetteh and was deflected into the net by Hearts’ Isaac Oduro.

The Phobians, thereafter, lifted their game but still found it difficult to go past Kotoko’s defensive barrier marshalled around Rahim Ayew, Owusu Brenya and Kwasi Acheampong.

But Hearts continued to search for an equaliser, with Gilbert Fiamenyo spearheading the attack with support from Kwame Kizito, Emmanuel Hayford and Thomas Abbey. And in one of their attacks, Kizito, who had an empty net before him, shot feebly at goal only for the ball to be cleared  by a Kotoko defender.

The second half was relatively drab with much of the action concentrated in midfield until substitute Mensah’s simulation earned the Phobians a draw through the controversial spot kick.