Zaytuna hold Faisal to a 2-2 draw

Kumasi, June 4, GNA - Kumasi-based King Faisal were held to a 2-2 drawn game by visiting Zaytuna United of Accra in their second round outstanding Onetouch Premier League encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Wednesday.

It was Faisal's Abraham Basit who scored the first goal in the seventh minute when he lobbed the ball over on-rushing goalkeeper Rugard Tetteh into the net.

After the goal, Faisal continued to pile pressure to increase the tally but Zaytuna after soaking the heat in a counter attack had a chance in the 26th minute to ge the equlaiser but Gideon Baah who was on target was brought down in the box but referee Yakubu Nuhu Liman disallowed what seem a glaring penalty. The player protested and this earned him the yellow card in the 27th minute.

Faisal replaced Benjamin Dodzi in the 35th minute for injured Awudu Nafiu and nearly made it two but a cross from Enoch Ebo Andoh meant for Ofosu Mickey just in front of the keeper was kicked out to corner by Shadrack Kyei but the resultant kick was wasted. In the 41st minute, Zaytuna had an opportunity to equalize but Frank Boateng fumbled with the ball to allow it to cross the touch line. On resumption of the second half, Faisal brought on Abedi Sarfo for Ofosu Mickey while Zaytuna also substituted Joseph Masiri for Gideon Baah and in the 54th minute, substitute Masiri's 35- metre free kick sailed into the net for the equalizer with goalkeeper Osei Boateng sprawling.

Both teams improved on their game with Faisal having the upper hand and dictating the pace with series of forays but the defence of Zaytuna warded off most of their chances.

King Faisal however managed to penetrate the solid defence of Zaytuna to take the leader in the 69th minute through Eric Kwaku Poku with a right footer in a goal mouth melee.

Sensing danger, Zaytuna's coach Fadi Omars sent on Solomon Samuel for Samuel Addo in the 73rd minute but another chance that came their way in the 67th minute was booted over the bar by Joseph Maziri. Zaytuna leveled up the scores in the 78th minute with a shot from Nicholas Coffie when he connected home a pass from Maziri with the Faisal keeper completely beaten.

In the 88th minute, Charles Manu of Zaytuna was shown the red card after receiving the second yellow card for time wasting.