Prosper Ogum acknowledged the 1-1 stalemate by Samartex at the weekend forced his Asante Kotoko side to retreat into their shells to avoid defeat at all cost against Young Apostles as they managed a 0-0 scoreline in the outstanding match-week 20 Premier League clash on Wednesday mid-afternoon.
The Kumericans would have remained top with a win against the newbies but few chances were created in a disappointing 0-0 draw at the Nana Abrefa Nketia VII Park in Wenchi.
Both sides desperately lacked fluency in a bitty, fractious contest. The Agya Na ƆwƆ Tumi lads created some significant openings before halftime, while Kotoko were hampered by their own hurried approach in the final third.
After recess, Apostles were emboldened by falling behind, enjoying a flurry of forward forays on either side of the interval. Yet, the out-of-sorts Agya Na ƆwƆ Tumi seemed intent on finding new, increasingly creative ways, to squander these briefly promising chances.
Ogum ushered striker Samson Eduku off the bench for the final 24 minutes, but it was the hosts who came closest to snatching all three points. While Kwame Opoku stuttered through the closing stages, the Agya Na ƆwƆ Tumi kept on pushing. By the time the final whistle sounded on a sodden corner of the middle-belt of Ghana, Young Apostles would have been more disappointed with the point than their title-chasing visitors.
Kotoko are second, one point behind Bibiani Gold Stars, while Young Apostles are tenth, 28 points off the pace.
Ogum side have taken ten points in six games against Vision FC, Karela (in seventeenth place), Legon Cities (sixteenth) and Samartex.
By: Pascal Amoah
