KUMASI Asante Kotoko failed to translate their territorial supremacy into goals last Saturday when they only managed a 1-1 draw with dethroned league leaders, Kessben FC, in an absorbing encounter at Abrankese.
Under-pressure coach Paa Kwesi Fabin had entered the half-full Anane Boateng Stadium with his charges and a mission to end the first round of the league successfully, but met a resilient Kessben that refused to capitulate in the high-tempo game.
Going down early in the 13th minute, Kotoko marshalled their forces and cancelled the goal following a flurry of attacks but the decisive second goal was always elusive.
Repeatedly, the visitors’ supporters disagreed with some of the decisions of referee Mercy Tagoe Quarcoo against Kotoko and when she showed skipper Ofosu Appiah the red card for a second bookable offence deep inside injury, they booed in disagreement.
But it appeared the no-nonsense female referee did not take kindly to an act of dissent by the Kotoko strong defender and gave him the second yellow card.
Kessben worked to steady the ship, and their first major attack proved fruitful as Bismarck Idan ghosted past his marker to meet a deep pass before flicking the ball with his left past advancing keeper Isaac Amoako.
The Kessben defence of Bobie Ansah, Suraju Mohammed, Otuo Acheampong and Richard Adjei never appeared to have the capacity to survive the barrage of attacks, and they eventually caved in after 31 minutes when Francis Coffie slipped in to finish off a Baffour Gyan effort.
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