The Porcupine Warriors, Fabulous Kumasi Asante went to the Lion’s den, in Congo, Brazzaville, and resoundingly beat A.S Police by 3-2 at the Alphonse Massamba stadium on Sunday to qualify for this year’s finals of the CAF Mandela Cup.
Playing one of their best games in recent times with telepathic understanding among the players, coupled with impeccable passing game, the Red Devils of Ghana Soccer delighted the Congolese football enthusiasts who thronged the Massamba stadium to witness the second-leg CAF Cup Winners Cup semi-final clash.
A.S Police, who before the Sunday encounter had predicted a 5-0 drubbing of Kotoko, started the game in a whirlwind fashion and deservedly secured the opener in the 35th minute of the first-half.
The Ghanaians accepted the challenge by carrying the game to the Congolese Champions, with some delightful play that surprised the Policemen from Congo. It therefore came as no surprise when Kotoko’s new sensation, General Kwadwo Poku scored a great equalizing goal in the 43rd minute to give the Ghanaians some respite.
The fabulous boys started the second half with determination having sized their opponents in the first half and realising that they could only be toothless bulldogs. The Porcupine Warriors in the second half were a completely transformed side, having received pep talks from their German Coach Ralf Zumdick during recess. They responded positively by scoring their second- goal through in-form Michael (Power) Osei. After scoring, Osei was to give way for Eric Kwaku Duah.
Not satisfied by the 2-1 score line, the Oseikrom boys redoubled their efforts and scored a third goal, through evergreen Shilla Alhassan. The Congolese got a consolation second goal in the 90th minute.
Kotoko Line-up Osei Boateng, Aziz Ansah, Godfred Yeboah, Isaac Owusu, Joseph Hendricks, Hamza, Michael Osei (Eric Kwaku Duah), Ablordey, Shilla Alhassan, Kwadwo Poku (Frank Osei), Stephen Owusu.
