Striker Mark Agyekum’s 38th minute beautiful strike was all that AshantiGold SC needed to beat a 10-man Nzema Kotoko 1-0 to win the Normalisation Committee Special Competition Tier II Cup on Sunday, 30th June, 2019 at the Cape Coast Stadium.
The Obuasi –based have thus qualified to represent Ghana in the 2019/2020 Caf Confderation Cup.
Nzema Kotoko threatened AshantiGold in the early stanza of the game but thanks to Goalkeeper Frank Boateng who pulled a fine save to deny Nzema Kotoko the lead.
Dreaded striker Akesse Akesse looked very dandgerous upfront but couldn’t unlock the partnership of Richard Osei Agyemand and Mubarik Yusif to score for Nzema Kotoko.
Coach Kjetil Zachariassen was forced to make a first half substitution on the 22nd minute, replacing injured Joseph Gordon with Godfred Asiamah.
Striker Mark Agyekum sent a low shot beyond the reach of Goalkeeper Evans Quansah to break the deadlock for the miners in the 38th minute.
Back from recess, AshantiGold mounted thunderous pressure on Nzema Kotoko with the aim of getting an early second goal. The miners pressing game nearly got them the second goal but Godfred Asiamah shot went off target.
Nzema Kotoko in their attempt to restore parity made two quick changes with Edem Kwaw coming on for Roland Frimpong in the 56th minute.
Felix Bleman however, made way for Augustine Kofi Ofori two minutes later.
Amos Kofi Nkrumah on the other hand, was replaced by danger man Richard Djodi for Ashantigold.
Appiah MacCarthy’s excellent freekick in the 60th minute was almost entering the net when Goalkeeper Evans Quansah brilliantly pulled a save to prevent the ball from entering the net.
Nzema Kotoko could barely string passes together in the second half as they left AshantiGold SC dominate play throughout the second half.
Kjetil Zachariassen’s side kept pushing for more goals but couldn’t utilize the few chances they created, leaving the Cape Coast Stadium with a 1-0 victory over Nzema Kotoko at the end of referee Danaiel Laryea’s final whistle.
Nzema Kotoko were dealt with a big blow on the 75th minute after their star boy Akese Akese was sent off in the game for an unsporting behaviour.
Both Asante Kotoko and AshantiGold SC will represent Ghana in next season’s Caf Champions League and the Confederation Cup respectively.
AshantiGold SC line up against Nzema Kotoko:
Frank Boateng, Roland Amouzou, Emmanuel Nti Mensah, Yusif Muabrik, Richard Osei Agyemang, Appiah MacCarthy, Jospeh Gordon, Amos Kofi Nkrumah, Emmanuel Owusu, Shafiu Mumun, Mark Agyekum.
Nzema Kotoko line up against AshantiGold:
Evans Quansah [GK], Abdul Rashid, Jonathan Kwofie, Solomon Adansi, Felix Ackah, Amoah Takyi, Agyenim Boateng, Felix Bleman, Roland Frimpong, Ali Mutfawu, Akese Akese.
