Sports News of Thursday, 10 July 1997

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Kotoko Lose Again

Nkawkaw: Visiting Sekondi Hasaacas played a good game to beat Kumasi Asante Kotoko 2-0 at Nkawkaw. Kotoko used the Nkawkaw park as their home ground following a one-match home ban imposed on them by the Ghana Football Association. Hasaacas, with a strong technical team made up of retired national stars Kuuku Dadzie, P.S.K Paha and Emmanuel Quarshie, packed their defence and midfield and crippled the several attacks made by Kotoko. Kotoko pressurised Hasaacas in the first half and had four scoring chances in the 34th, 36th, 37th and 41st minutes but failed to utilize them. Hasaacas made amends during the second half and adopted long passes strategy which yielded results as they took the lead in the 49th minute through midfielder Kwaku Wiafe, whose header from right full back Yusif Isaah's free kick, beat Kotoko's keeper Abubarkari Kankani. Kotoko, sensing danger, pulled out outside right George Quansah for Kwabena Poku in the 51st minute but the change did not benefit them as Hasaacas made it 2-0 in the 56th minute through centre forward Mohammed Isaah, who beat two Kotoko defenders and shot home. Hasaacas made two changes in the 62nd and 65th minutes when Abdul Hamidu and Alhassan Gouba went in for Wiafe and left full back Arthur Yawson. Kotoko bounced back into action but they wasted three scoring chances in the 62nd, 64th and 73rd minutes as their attackers, of centre forward Kwadjo Anane, inside left Yaw Sekyi and inside right Nana Adarkwa, tried desperately to get a goal. Between the 67th and 87th minutes, Kotoko, who were attacking from all angles, had five corner kicks but to no avail. MORE