KUMASI Asante Kotoko last Sunday failed to translate their superiority into goals and allowed Semassi Club of Togo to ditch them 1-0 in their friendly international soccer encounter at the Kumasi Stadium.
Semassi thus succeeded in avenging the 2-1 defeat Kotoko inflicted on the Togolese national team, “The Hawks”, two weks ago, at the Accra Stadium when the two sides clashed as part of the series of matches arranged for Kotoko to build a formidable side before the start of the next soccer season.
After the inspection of teams led by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkor and the Mamponghene, Nana Osei Bonsu II, Kotoko kicked off to a brilliant start and should have gone ahead in the first minute, but goalkeeper Tchagnirou Ouru made light work of Michael Asante’s shot.
With Nana Frimpong, Osei Kwame and Lawrence Adjei leading the attack and Lawrence Kainyah and Godwin Ablordey controlling the midfield, Kotoko initiated series of attacks with the hope of taking an early lead, but foun the defence of Semassi unyielding.
When Semassi warmed themselves into the game, they were a delight to watch.
Their ball control, well co-ordinated passes, ball distribution and striking prowess won the hearts of the sparse crowd who cheered them occasionally.
In the 20th minute, Osei Boateng in post for Kotoko had to dive full length to push a 30-metre bullet by Bawa Yaouza to corner which was wasted.
The game then became balanced mid-way into the half with Kotoko slightly on top, but could not utilise the few chances which came their way.
In the 29th minute, Lawrence Adjei nearly opened the scores for Kotoko but his 25-metre strike rather grazed the bar to the relief of the visitors.
In the 42nd minute, Ouru came to the rescue of Semassi by punching Lawrence Adjei’s header, which was heading into the net, to safety to end the half.
Kotoko resumed the second half more determined but it was Semassi who scored in the 49th minute through Salifou Moustapha with a low ground shot which surprisingly beat Osei Boateng.
Undaunted, Kotoko multiplied in attack and kept the area of Semassi boiling with the view of redeeming the deficit but in all situations, the agility and good anticipation of goalkeper Tchagnirou Ouru denied Kotoko the chance to equalise.
In the 59th and 60th minutes, Kotoko managed to penetrate the iron-clad defence of Semassi but the goalkeper saved the goal-bound shots of Osei Kwame and Nana Frimpong respectively.
In the 73rd minute, Michael Osei also came close to snatching the equaliser but again the goalkeeper saved the situation by punching the ball to corner which was wasted.
Kotoko launched a last minute attack with the hope of redeeming their image but erratic shooting up-front cost them the match until referee G. K. Manu brought hostilities to an end.
