Samartex and Asante Kotoko played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Nsenkyire Sports Arena in Matchday 24 of the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The Timber Giants were 10 points behind league leaders Asante Kotoko ahead of kick-off, and their point means Kotoko's advantage is a whopping 11 with just ten games of the season remaining. Their already -slim title hopes have faded drastically over the past couple of weeks.
Samartex point sees them return to 9th, and Christopher Ennin will doubtlessly be encouraged by what he saw from his depleted group of players in the second half. They were unfortunate not to claim all three points at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena.
Prosper Ogum made five changes from last Sunday's home victory over Legon Cities, with the enterprising Henry Ansu, replacing Joseph Ablorh at centre-back.
The experienced Ogum had little room for flexibility given Kotoko's injury woes, with Daniel Adjetey missing out. The former WAFA boss had a very young bench at his disposal, one that included Vitus Avoka and Abdul Isaka.
The visitors were in control from the outset against a Samartex team bereft of a concrete idea in possession. They had little success playing out and were often second best when 17-year-old goalkeeper Shaibu Rafique Issah pumped the ball long. Samartex were dominant but once again lacked a killer punch in the absence of a recognised centre-forward.
Samartex were disciplined enough defensively to limit Kotoko's ability to craft high-quality openings, and although they suffered for much of the opening period, the hosts remarkably took a 1-0 lead into half-time through forward' Awuah Dramani.
Kotoko were returning to a familiar state of huffing and puffing as they searched for an equaliser, with the hosts seemingly growing in comfort defensively. However, the Porcupine Warriors were able to produce a moment which resulted in the leveller. Kwame Opoku finished off superbly.
That set the stage for a thrilling moment of nerve cracking, and it was Samartex who came on strong after Kotoko's equaliser. Superbly timed last-ditch challenge from Ansu prevented Samartex from handing the hosts the lead.
Kotoko required all three points to retain their ever-slimming Premier League title hopes alive, but they were fortunate to escape Samreboi with just one. Samrtex came ever so close to winning it in stoppage time, but their efforts were denied by a brilliant Asare stop, with the Kotoko goalkeeper clawing away the spinning ball before it crossed the line after making the initial save.
By: Pascal Amoah
