King Faisal hold Kotoko in Kofi Annan Cup match

Poor officiating by FIFA referee Mike Amedior left a sour taste in the mouth of spectators in the Kofi Annan Cup match between city rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko and King Faisal which ended 2-2 in Kumasi on Sunday.

Referee Amedior allowed the match to degenerate into a foul strewn game with players kicking legs instead of the ball and sometimes violently, in what could otherwise have been an excellent game. Supporters of both clubs did not hide their displeasure about the poor officiating and therefore poured scorn on the referee and his assistants at the end of the game.

The match had been instituted in honour of Mr Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General to raise funds for the development of Mfantsipim Secondary School, his alma mater and the Otumfuo Education Fund, a fund put in place by the Asantehene to aid deprived children in their quest for education.

After the inspection of the two teams by Oheneba Agyemang Atwereboanda, Hiahene who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Nana Sam Brew Butler, representing Mfantsipim Old Boys, Faisal kicked-off but quickly lost the ball to Kotoko who earned two corner-kicks in the fifth and seventh minutes but wasted them.

Kotoko were not to be denied a goal as they raced into an eighth minute lead through Joe Hendricks who headed home from Micheal Appiah's corner. Kotoko nearly increased the tally in the 15th minute but Micheal Osei missed narrowly with another header.

Faisal accepted the challenge and carried the game to Kotoko, building their attacks from the midfield and deservedly equalised in the 36th minute with a picturesque goal scored by Abubakar Yahuza from smallish Ben Wilson's through pass.

However, Kotoko restored their lead during injury time through Nana Arhin Duah who tapped in Micheal Osei's cross after a good run on the left to end the first half. Faisal redoubled their efforts and nearly equalised but Joe Agyemang who played a great game missed narrowly in the 52nd minute after Sam Thompson had put him through.

Ishaq Debrah headed cheekily past goalkeeper Osei Boateng five minutes later from a Joe Agyemang pullout. The replay has been tentatively fixed for February 28 during which a winner is expected to emerge by all means.