Morifing Donzo’s first half penalty was to enough to hand Asante Kotoko a slim and precious 0-1 win over their eternal rivals Hearts of Oak in a thrilling first Super-Clash of the season at the Ohene Gyan Stadium.
Attendance wasn’t really impressive despite the media hype and the high anticipations heading into the game.
Mas-Ud Didi Dramani named a strong XI with most of the key players making the cut namely Benjamin Asare, Osei Asibey, Hussein Mohammed while Raphael Amponsah and Ali Mohammed returned into the line up.
With Kotoko, Samba O’Neil was made to return to defensive duties while Hilary was maintained in midfield alongside Seth Kwadwo and Hubert Gyau while Acquah Amidu, Donzo and others lead the attack.
Despite a sloppy start for the hosts, Asante Kotoko will not rush to attack as they stayed calm and took the game under their total control.
Both teams looked really careful in the early stages with less attempts made on goal leaving the two goalkeepers virtually on holiday.
With few minutes to the end of the first half, the Reds were awarded a penalty caused by Amankwah Baafi who recklessly brought down Peter Amidu Acquah down in the box after a great work from the right. Guinean international Morifing Donzo stepped and converted neatly to put the visitors ahead.
After going down 0-1 at half time, the Rainbow Club bounced back stronger with consistent attacks but forgot their lines and nearly got punished but Amidu Acquah but had his 54th minute effort went wide.
Just two minutes later, Raphael Amponsah came so close with a strong hit from way out but went way off target for a restart.
In the 64th minute, the Porcupine Warriors nearly pounced on a huge Osei Asibey clanger to double their lead but Donzo had his effort blocked hugely by Ali Mohammed.
Just four minutes later, Asante Kotoko with another chance but Samba O’Neil’s header from Saaka’s corner kick missed the post by miles.
The ‘Phobians’ scored what looked like the equalizer but was flagged off for an offside. Despite all efforts it finished 0-1 in the end for Asante Kotoko.
Hearts of Oak after the painful scoreline will taste their first defeat of the season and will drop to the fourth place with 16 points and will travel to Swedru All Blacks in next round.
Asante Kotoko however, still have their perfect start intact and will cruise to seventh with 14 points with three games in hand and will travel next to Vision FC.
