AshantiGold SC registered another superiority over giants Asante Kotoko after thrashing them 3-1 in the semifinals of the Normalisation Committee Special Competition Tier II clash on Wednesday at the Accra Sports Stadium to set up a crucial finals with Nzema Kotoko.
The Porcupine Warriors who have already booked tickets to the finals of the Tier I, opened the scoring just two minutes after the blast of the whistle through striker Naby Keita.
The Miners despite going down in the early stanza of the game, never got discouraged as they fought tirelessly to restore parity in the 8th minute courtesy defender Yusif Mubarik’s intelligent header.
Coach CK Akonnor was forced to make an early substitution in the first half after captain Amos Frimpong picked an injury. He was replaced by Habib Mohammed.
Emmanuel Owusu beautifully connected in Roland Amouzou’s cross to give Ashgold a 2-1 lead after some delightful and possessive display of football made in Obuasi.
Owusu, however, couldn’t continue the game for Ashantigold after his sumptuous strike as a result of an Injury and had to be replaced with Godfred Asiamah just a minute after recess.
The Miners kept possessing the ball and dominated play as Kotoko struggled to unlock the defensive partnership of Richard Osei Agyemang and Yusif Mubarik.
Striker Mark Agyekum who netted the only goal when the Miners beat Asante Kotoko in Obuasi again struck in the 55th minute with a header from close range to extend Ashgold’s lead to 3-1 to the delight of the few fans who thronged the edifice.
Goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim also had to make way for Osei Kwame after sustaining an injury with Daniel Darkwah coming on for Evans Owusu.
Kotoko could have at lead reduced their deficit to 2-1 but striker Abdul Fatawu Safiu shamelessly bloated away some good scoring opportunities that came his way in the game.
With AshantiGold Coach Kjetil Zachariassen in his quest to maintain the 3-1 lead, brought on defender Samed Ibrahim to replace captain Shafiu Mumuni.
The Obuasi based club by virtue of the 3-1 victory over Asante Kotoko, will battle Division One League side Nzema Kotoko in the finals for a slot to compete in the Caf Confederation Cup next season.
Asante Kotoko XI:
Danlad Ibrahim [GK], Augustine Sefah, Evans Owusu, Wahab Adams, Ishmael Ganiu, Amos Frimpong, Kwame Boahene, Naby Keita, Kwame Bonsu, Stephen Nyarko, Abdul Fatawu Safiu.
Coach: C.K Akonnor
AshantiGold SC XI:
Fran Boateng [GK], Emmanuel Nti Mensah, Ronald Amouzou, Yusif Mubarik, Richard Osei Agyemang, Abdul Latif Anabila, Emmanuel Owsuu, Appiah MacCarthy , Amos Kofi Nkrumah, Mark Agyekum, Shafiu Mumuni.
Coach: Kjetil Zachariassen
Match report by ncspecialcompetition.com
