Asante Kotoko missed the opportunity to take a giant leap towards the new season thanks to a spirited performance by Kpando Heart of Lions.
Entertainment was not on the menu as both sides lacked intensity in what was a typistart-of-seasonason game at the Baba Yara sports stadium, but Fatawu Salifu's men got the job done again in the end.
Here are four talking points from the game
Heart of Lions played with no fear and took the game to Kotoko
Playing against Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports stadium , it would have been understandable if Fatawu Salifu's side to play within themselves. Instead of being overwhelmed by what should have been an electric atmosphere in Kumasi, the The lads from Kpando found their feet straight away and set about quietening the Kotoko fans present.
The visitors passed the ball around with confidence and created a few chances; taking advantage of hosts' decision not to press high in the game; Yaw Danso and Mohaison Mohammed were again linking up well and causing all sorts of problems.
Stephen Mukwala is a big miss for Kotoko
Many have questioned the forward's importance, but the fact of the matter is that the Porcupine Warriors are not the same team without him.
The Ugandan International brings pace and power to the Kotoko attack, and his willingness to take the ball under pressure, and move through the lines, is something that Kotoko undoubtedly missed. George Mfegue is a fine footballer, but he is not Mukwala.
There was not too much of a relationship between Kotoko's midfield and forward line, and it was another example of just what the team is when Mukwala does not feature.
Ogum has got some work to do
It would be fair to say that Prosper Narteh Ogum will not have been all that impressed with what he saw from his boys on Sunday, especially in the first half.
A lot of sideways and backwards passes, very little movement in attacking zones, a complete crisis of confidence, and aversion to attempting anything remotely risky.
Whether these players are just bad footballers or good ones playing like bad ones, it is unknown, but one thing is clear, Ogum must get them playing at a higher level than they did on Sunday if he wants to compete for the league title. If they are unable to adapt and develop, there is only one response: replace them.
Why Did George Mfegue start?
Granted a starting berth by Ogum, George Mfegue who captained the team was expected top be a key figure in the Kotoko attack.
It couldn’t have gone any worse for the forward as it was clear he wasn’t fit from the outset. A mere passenger throughout the game, Kotoko might as well have played with ten men.
If he was fit, then his performance was dismal and if he was injured, it raises even more questions as to why he remained in the game for so long.
