Abdul Karim Zito recorded a vital away victory as Dreams FC ease the Still Believe boys handed Kotoko their first defeat of the season courtesy an Abdul Aziz Issah goal.
Below are four things we learned from the epic clash in Kumasi.
Dreams manage game brilliantly at 1-0 up
Although Abdul Aziz Issah deserves credit for a delightful finish – but they could not have managed the game any better at 1-0 up. Abdul Karim Zito's charges formed a solid defensive shape out of possession while ensuring they retained a counter-attacking threat to give their opponents something to think about going the other way.
As Prosper Ogum’s men went more and more gung-ho as the minutes ticked away, Dreams began to mount increasingly dangerous breaks. Zito will be delighted with how professionally his team controlled proceedings throughout the game.
Dreams FC 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 Abdul Karim Zito's side to play within themselves. Instead of being overwhelmed by what should have been an electric atmosphere, the Still Believe lads found their feet straight away and set about quietening the Kotoko fans present.
Dreams passed the ball around with confidence and created a few chances; taking advantage of Kotoko's decision decision not to press high in the first half; John Antwi, Ishmael Dede and Abdul Aziz Issahwere again linking up well and causing all sorts of problems. It came as no surprise when Abdul Aziz Issah scored to put the visitors in front before the interval.
Honeymoon period over for Prosper Ogum
Mitigating factors abound- this is Ogum's squad after all- yet it's hard to escape the lingering feeling that a lot of the Porcupine Warriors' problems within this period have been of their own making. Baffling, and often all too negative team selections, have contributed to the downturn in form.
Rotation, of course, is essential to a certain extent. However, winning combinations have been dropped all too readily and the team has poorly meshed together as a consequence. .
The unmerited 0-1 defeat has Kotoko's' league run reading DLL- a record that shows how quickly the Porcupine Warriors' fortunes have spiralled out of control. Relegation worries have eased, yet improvements will be necessary both in terms of January incomings and in Ogum's tactical setup if the former WAFA manager is to prove he is the right man to take the club forward long-term.
Stephen Mukwala fails to make an impression
It wasn't all good news for Kotokofans on Sunday with Stephen Mukwala once again failing to make a meaningful impact. Up against a hard-working Dreams defence, the Kotoko forward failed to find any space but perhaps more worryingly, he failed to make any impact in the area.
Famed for his ability to pop-up with a crucial goal, those late runs into the penalty box which became his trademark last term have all dried up this season, and that is a concern for the Kotoko faithful. If he was fit, then his performance was dismal and if he played through injury, then, it raises even more questions as to why he lasted the entire duration of the game.
