Kumasi Asante Kotoko appeased their faithful supporters when they beat city rival, King Faisal 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium in the finals of this year’s edition of the FA knockout competition.
The lone goal came in nine minutes into extra time from the boot of substitute Kwaku Duah who swept the ball into the net from a goalmouth melee after a corner kick taken by Stephen Oduro.
As referee Alex Quartey rushed into the net and picked the ball to signify the end of the match about a quarter of the spectators, mostly dressed in the red and white colours of Kotoko, rushed onto the field in ecstasy.
The match kicked off on a very fast not after Mr Edward Osei Kwaku, Minister of Youth and Sports had inspected the teams. Though Kotoko won the first corner kick, they soon lost control to Faisal who throttled hard, looking for the first goal.
In the 5th minute, skipper Joe Agyemang Snr. came close but he was halted by Isaac Owusu in his tracks. Goalkeeper Osei Boateng sprawled in the 11th minute to deny Issah Debrah an opportunity to score.
From the 15th minute, it was King Faisal all the way as they had long spells of possession with Ben Wilson, Issah Debrah and Kwabena Poku drawing rings round the Kotoko players.
Action swung to the other side in the 28th minute when Joe Okyere set up Oduro but the petit attacker failed to make hay to keep Faisal slightly on top till the break.
In the second half, Alhaji Grunsah's boys maintained their dominance but remained blunt in attack as substitute Frank Osei who came in for Joe Agyemang Jnr. led a long siege on the Kotoko territory. Anytime Kotoko broke into the Faisal area, veteran Emmanuel Ampiah mobilised Dada Kwadwo, Issah Yahaya and Thompson Sanu to ward off their attack.
In the 65th minute the best chance of the game fell to Joe Agyemang Snr. and he powered a header which clearly beat Keeper Osei Boateng but it was surprisingly redirected by teammate Wilson with another header off target.
With 15 minutes remaining, the tide changed in favour of Kotoko as they took control of the midfield with Oduro doing great runs to create chances. Faisal changed Ampiah, who was limping with Seth Opoku and this seemed to give the Kotoko attackers the leeway they needed to test keeper Sam Okyere who proved his mettle with some good saves.
During extra time, Faisal had the first chance to end it but Frank Osei failed to slip the ball to Kwabena Opoku who had a yawing net in front of him and allowed the Kotoko defence line to recover and dispossess him of the ball.
Five minutes into the 'sudden death' period, Frank Osei and Ben Wilson wove through the Kotoko defence but the final delivery was poor.
Left off the hook, Kotoko’s Kwaku Duah taught Faisal a bitter lesson when he powered home from close range to win the day for the porcupines who now book their first Africa berth in four years.
Kumasi Asante Kotoko appeased their faithful supporters when they beat city rival, King Faisal 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium in the finals of this year’s edition of the FA knockout competition.
The lone goal came in nine minutes into extra time from the boot of substitute Kwaku Duah who swept the ball into the net from a goalmouth melee after a corner kick taken by Stephen Oduro.
As referee Alex Quartey rushed into the net and picked the ball to signify the end of the match about a quarter of the spectators, mostly dressed in the red and white colours of Kotoko, rushed onto the field in ecstasy.
The match kicked off on a very fast not after Mr Edward Osei Kwaku, Minister of Youth and Sports had inspected the teams. Though Kotoko won the first corner kick, they soon lost control to Faisal who throttled hard, looking for the first goal.
In the 5th minute, skipper Joe Agyemang Snr. came close but he was halted by Isaac Owusu in his tracks. Goalkeeper Osei Boateng sprawled in the 11th minute to deny Issah Debrah an opportunity to score.
From the 15th minute, it was King Faisal all the way as they had long spells of possession with Ben Wilson, Issah Debrah and Kwabena Poku drawing rings round the Kotoko players.
Action swung to the other side in the 28th minute when Joe Okyere set up Oduro but the petit attacker failed to make hay to keep Faisal slightly on top till the break.
In the second half, Alhaji Grunsah's boys maintained their dominance but remained blunt in attack as substitute Frank Osei who came in for Joe Agyemang Jnr. led a long siege on the Kotoko territory. Anytime Kotoko broke into the Faisal area, veteran Emmanuel Ampiah mobilised Dada Kwadwo, Issah Yahaya and Thompson Sanu to ward off their attack.
In the 65th minute the best chance of the game fell to Joe Agyemang Snr. and he powered a header which clearly beat Keeper Osei Boateng but it was surprisingly redirected by teammate Wilson with another header off target.
With 15 minutes remaining, the tide changed in favour of Kotoko as they took control of the midfield with Oduro doing great runs to create chances. Faisal changed Ampiah, who was limping with Seth Opoku and this seemed to give the Kotoko attackers the leeway they needed to test keeper Sam Okyere who proved his mettle with some good saves.
During extra time, Faisal had the first chance to end it but Frank Osei failed to slip the ball to Kwabena Opoku who had a yawing net in front of him and allowed the Kotoko defence line to recover and dispossess him of the ball.
Five minutes into the 'sudden death' period, Frank Osei and Ben Wilson wove through the Kotoko defence but the final delivery was poor.
Left off the hook, Kotoko’s Kwaku Duah taught Faisal a bitter lesson when he powered home from close range to win the day for the porcupines who now book their first Africa berth in four years.
