Nations FC and Asante Kotoko played out a tense 0-0 draw in Week 5 of the Ghana Premier League on Saturday afternoon at the Dr Kwamen Ktyei
Nations FC and Asante Kotoko played out a tense 0-0 draw in Week 5 of the Ghana Premier League on Saturday afternoon at the Dr Kwamen Ktyei Sports Complex in Abrankese, extending Kotoko’s winless streak against Nations FC to five games since the minnows gained promotion to the top division in 2023.
The match was a gritty affair marked by defensive discipline and missed opportunities from both sides.
Both teams entered the game with high expectations after Kotoko defeated defending champions Bibiani Gold Stars under the Baba Yara floodlights on Wednesday night in an outstanding game.
Nations, on the other hand, lost 2-1 at Medeama in their week four in Tarkwa, so they were ready to amass all three points against one of the teams they have a superior record against
Heavy rains earlier in the day made the pitch slippery and difficult to manage. Despite the challenging conditions, the game went ahead as scheduled, with both sides struggling to maintain fluidity in their play.
Nations FC came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute when Evans Sarfo’s well-struck free kick rattled the upright, leaving fans gasping.
Kotoko responded with a promising build-up in the 25th minute, but their final effort lacked precision.
The absence of key attackers—Albert Amoah for Kotoko and Faisal Charwetey for Nations—was evident, as both teams lacked the cutting edge needed to convert chances into goals.
The second half saw a continuation of the midfield battle, with neither side able to assert dominance.
Goalkeepers on both ends were alert and made crucial saves to keep the scoreline intact.
As the final whistle blew, frustration was palpable among supporters, especially Kotoko fans who had yet to see their team beat Nations in the GPL.
The draw means Asante Kotoko have now moved to 3rd place on the league table, having won eight points from four games and also have a game in hand.
Nations FC are surprisingly sitting in 5th position, having amassed five points from five games.
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