The Porcupine Warriors failed to make it five wins out of five as they. shared the spoils goalless in Ainyinase against Karela United
Ten-man Asante Kotoko were held to a goalless draw by Karela United on matchday five of Ghana Premier League at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park in Ainyinase on Sunday.
Following injury problems to Richmond Lamptey and Christopher Nettey, coach Prosper Ogum Narteh made two changes to his squad that dispatched Techiman Eleven Wonders last weekend.
Razak Abalora kept his place in the sticks but Samuel Appiah came in for Nettey while Imoro Ibrahim, Andrews Kwadwo Appau and Abdul Ganiu Ismail completed the back four.
Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’ patterned Mudasiru Salifu and Isaac Oppong in midfield while Fabio Gama, George Mfegue and Samuel Boateng led the attack.
Kotoko had the better share of the early exchanges as Isaac Oppong played Samuel Boateng through by the seventh minute but the forward was flagged offside.
Ten minutes later, Oppong had another shot at goal but his effort was very feeble and was saved by the Karela. goalkeeper.
On the 22nd minute, Karela came close to opening the scoring through former Kotoko striker Umar Bashiru. The lanky forward saw his effort beat goalkeeper Abalora only to hit the upright.
Richard Boadu brought down Umar when the striker broke loose for a quick counterattack and the referee didn’t hesitate to show him a yellow card.
After the break, Kotoko pressed harder in search of the first goal.
Imoro Ibrahim saw his cross nearly causing an own goal by the 56th minute as a Karela player struggled to deal with it.
One minute later, Kotoko were reduced to ten after Richard Boadu fouled a Karela player to pick his second booking of the day.
The sending off forced Kotoko to make a substitution as Sherrif Mohammed came in for Samuel Boateng while Emmanuel Keyekey also replaced Fabio Gama as Kotoko reverted to a 4-3-2 formation due to the numerical disadvantage.
On 85th minute, goalkeeper Abalora made a point blank save to prevent Kotoko from conceding a late goal after he rushed to block a Karela player and picked up an injury in the process.
Kotoko despite the stalemate still lead the log with 13 points and will face King Faisal in Kumasi derby next week at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.