Sports News of Monday, 23 December 2019

Source: footballmadeinghana.com

Player ratings: Kotoko 2 Hearts 1

Kotoko defeated Hearts 2-1 to win the President Cup Kotoko defeated Hearts 2-1 to win the President Cup

Asante Kotoko defeated Accra Hearts of Oak 2-1 to win the 2019 President Cup at the Baba Yara Stadium courtesy a second half header from Naby Keita.

The Porcupines came back from a goal down to make sure the trophy remained in the Ashanti Region.

Footballmadeinghana.com rated the Performance of players of both sides by 10.

Asante Kotoko

Kwame Baah ( 6/10) Wasn’t tested much in the game as he watched his side dominating the game. Got the direction of Kordzi penalty but dived late

Christopher Nartey ( 6/10) – Good game by the youngster on his debut. Struggles at the beginning but grew up in the game and produced a great performance.

Patrick Yeboah(7/10) – Arguably one of his best games since joining Asante Kotoko. Assisted both goals for his side. Had almost all his cross right.

Agyemang Badu ( 7/10) : Struggled to deal with the threat of Kofi Kordzi. But kept it tight and give out his best.

Empem Dacosta (7 /10): You can’t blame him for the penalty. Dealt very well with the aerial balls. He was solid and gave Manaf no breathing space.

Justice Blay ( 7/10) : Commander in chief in midfield. Was all over the pitch. Got his interception and tackles all on point. He his availability gave Mudasir to dictate the game for Kotoko

Collins Ameyaw ( 4/10 ) – Was the suprise name when team news was announced. Had most of his passes wrong. Struggled a lot with confidence as he lost most of the balls.

Augustine Okrah( 6/10) – Good game from the nimble footed winger. Was denied twice by Richard Attah. Didn’t allow William Dankyi a breathing space in the game.

Emmanuel Gyamfi( 6/10) : Caused a lot of problems to Christopher Bonney. Was a constant threat on both wing but let down by his final delivery.

Sogne Yacouba (6/10) – Not the best of games from the Burkinabe as he struggled to replicate his last season form. He still shown the glimpse of his quality.

Mudasiru Salifu (7/10) : Promising outing by the young chap. Used his quick feat and skills to caused a lot of problems to the Hearts defence. Was unlucky with his long range shots.

Substitute

Naby Keita ( 6/10) – Scored a beauty to put his side in the lead. Came close again only to be denied by the goalposts.

Kelvin Andoh ( 5/10) – Good cameo for the winger. Had a great opportunity to make it 3-1 but his weak shot was easily dealt by Atta.

Imoro Ibrahim ( 5/10) – Came on for Patrick Yeboah. Didn’t make any impact in the game.

Mathew Cudjoe ( 5/10) : Dazzled the fans with his skills and dribbles. Made his side to gain a numerical advantage due to Robert Addo dangerous tackle on him.

Hearts of Oak

Richard Attah ( 6/10) – Great debut for the former Elmina Sharks goalkeeper. You can’t blame him for the two goals he conceded. Produced some great saves to denied Okrah and Yacouba.

Christopher Bonney (5/10) – Was terrorized by Emmanuel Gyamfi on the right side. Contributed nothing in the attack. Was withdrawn for Sumaila Larry.

Willam Dankyi (6/10) – Not a bad game from the left back. Was a suspect when defending but helped a lot when they on attack.

Mohammed Alhasaan ( 5/5) – Failed to react quickly to prevent Naby Keita from scoring the second goal. Kept it tight at the back by giving Yacouba a close mark.

Robert Addo ( 4/10) – A game to forget for the center back. Scored an unfortunate goal to let the Porcupines back in the game. Made things worse after receiving his marching orders in the game.

Benjamin Afutu(5/10) – Was outrunned by Mudasiru Salifu in midfield. Couldn’t provide the needed shield for his back four as Kotoko dominated play.

Mohammed Aminu (5/10) – Struggled to find himself in the game as Asante Kotoko dominated the midfield play. He was virtually off the game. Not surprised he was withdrawn after the first half.

Manaf Umar ( 4/10) – Not a game to remember as Hearts of Oak were made to chase the game in the first gal. Contributed nothing in the game.

Michelle Sarpog ( 6/10) – Was the brightest spot in the Hearts of Oak team. Terrified the Kotoko defence with his silky runs. Got injured and couldn’t return for the second half.

Korfi Kordzie ( 7/10) – Another promising outfit by the young forward. Made use of his physique to bully the Kotoko defence. Deserved his goal after working hard to beat the defenders.

Domnic Eshun ( 5/10) – Didn’t lived up to the billing as Hearts of Oak struggled to get find their feet in the game. Had a good chance to score in the first half but his feeble header was dealt with easily by Baah.

Substitute

Charles McCarthy (5/5) – Not a good game for the former Elmina sharks midfielder. Got lost in the game as the Porcupines claimed their ascendancy in the game

Kwadwo Obeng Junior (4/10) – Came in for Sarpong and didn’t show any sign of improvement in his game. Was off the mark

Emmanuel Mintah (4/5)- Brought on for Aminu Alhassan to bring stability in midfield but failed woefully as Mudasiru run the show in midfield.

Bernard Arthur ( 4/10) – Late cameo didn’t make any impact in the game.