Kotoko get semi-final ticket

FABULOUS Kumasi Asante Kotoko survived a scare in the Egyptian city of Mahala at the weekend to qualify for the semi-finals of the Africa Cup Winners Cup on a 5-4 aggregate despite losing 2-4 to Ghazel El Mahala in the second leg quarter-finals match.

The Ghanaians are through to meet AS Police of Congo Brazzaville, who also edged out El Morada of Sudan in the semi-finals.

Kotoko took the field in Mahala last Saturday night on the strength of a 3-0 advantage gained in the first leg in Kumasi two weeks ago, but had it erased by the 46th minute as Mahala fired from all angles.

Mahala, who, according to reports, had predicted a 5-0 win, appeared to be on course from the blast of the whistle as they raced into an early lead. They broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when a cross from the left was headed into the net for the first goal with Osei Boateng completely beaten.

Gingered up by the early goal, the Egyptians attacked in droves forcing the Kotoko defence pivoted around Dan Acquah, Isaac Owusu, Aziz Ansah and Joe Hendricks to work over time.

The Egyptians got the second goal midway in the half from a spot kick after the ball was adjudged by the referee to have hit the hand of a Kotoko defender during goalmouth melee.

Kotoko tried to redeem the goal but Ashrawi in post for El Mahala thwarted all their efforts till the end of the half.

But back from recess it was El Mahala who set the stadium alight again when they got the third goal in the 46th minute after their striker was deemed to have beaten an offside trap to lob the ball over the rushing Osei Boateng. This goal must have incensed Kotoko?s newly signed on coach Ralf Zumdick who brought on offensive midfielder Kojo Poku for defender Dan Acquah in a bid to increase Kotoko?s attacking options.

Indeed, Kojo Poku made his presence felt as he combined effectively with Stephen Oduro, Michael Osei and Arhin Duah to turn the heat on Mahala. They bombarded the goal area of Mahala and in the process redeemed a goal through two-goal hero Michael Osei.

It was Kojo Poku who dribbled past the Mahala defence to send an intelligent pass to Michael Osei to beat goalkeeper Ashrawi from an acute angle after 75 minutes.

Incensed, El Mahala responded immediately, forcing Kotoko to concede the fourth goal to set the stadium alight and renew hopes of qualifying.

The Egyptians needed to score just one more goal to make it to the next stage and therefore piled the pressure on Kotoko only to be caught off-guard when the Porcupine Warriors managed to find the net again.

Again it was substitute Kojo Poku who led the goal raid beating a host of Mahala defenders to lay a pass to Michael Osei to beat Ashrawi for the second time. The stadium went dead silent while Mahala made desperate efforts to score a consolation goal with the referee reportedly doing everything to assist them but to no avail.

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