The Red Castle Came to Town

A corner taken on the left by Patrick Asiedu, an outswinger to the far post. Joseph Ablorh rises high, gets his head to it, and it is calmly in the hands of Wydad Athletic goalkeeper Benabid. Kotoko had shown minimal threat; most of that threat was in the first half. However, this header in stoppage was Kotoko’s first and only on target. Despite the right back of Wydad, who had been tormented by Peter Amidu Acquah, the backline had the smooth, relaxed game they had dreamt of.

The game last night was a demonstration of how much Kotoko and Ghanaian clubs have lost the pulse when it comes to continental competitions. The footballing ability might be up there, but tactical discipline, decision-making, and pure footballing IQ are below the required level. A miracle in Casablanca on Friday does not nullify the point, but we as a nation can not finance our club football in a way that the North Africans can. This was exemplified by the Wydad centre-back Guilherme Ferreira, who joined on loan from Fegueiras in Portugal for the Club World Cup. Wydad, impressed by the Brazilian’s 6 feet 4 inches frame and calmness, triggered his 377,000 Euro release clause.

In the first half, when the sun was still high above the stadium and the away team was using every opportunity to guzzle down water, that was when Kotoko had an opening to get ahead. The Moroccan club settled into a shape very early on, ready to counter. Their captain, 38-year-old Nordin Amrabat, was on the right wing, dropping into midfield, dragging Asiedu with him. He embodied the assignment the Moroccans had. The assignment was to do more work without the ball than with it, thus surely a delight when they realised Kotoko may not be the best team to play through them, and even that Kotoko created, well, sort of.

Amidu Acquah was caught in a 1 v 1 with Moujid, beat him, cut inside, but the shot was blocked. Another duel would result in a corner. Then there was one where Acquah’s trickery was fantastic. He went past Moujid. He had the opportunity to drill one across or take a shot at the goal; he decided well. I do not think any decision was made. What we all saw after that was just bizarre: a high ball seemingly trying to bend it into the top corner, but it got it wrong. Tough to take, there was another chance where Ablorh headed across goal, but a Kotoko player missed the ball on the back post.

The preceding words do not indicate a Kotoko domination; goalkeeper Camara had to make two good saves. The shots were on target and a ball driven across the six-yard box that could have ended up anywhere. It was a perfect first half for Wydad, what they hoped for. It was going to get even better.

When the second half kicked off, the away team took the game to Kotoko, just test waters and it resulted in a corner. To take the corner, was 32-year-old Thembinkosi Lorch, who has played for Orlando Pirates for years, a bit for Mamelodi Sundowns and has an African Cup of Nations goal against Egypt under his belt. He took a good corner to the back post and by Congolese Bakasu on the volley. A man on the post and goalkeeper could not stop. Immediately, it was obvious Kotoko had to raise their game, salvage the situation.

The stories write themselves, just three minutes after a ball over the top has Parrick Asiedu, 22, in a foot race with Nordin Amrabat, 38, how Camara was all the way out there and when the ball was kicked, he extended his arm to stop it, only he would know. Camara is a confident young man and aside physique, ability and is son to a Guinean goalkeeping legend, Kemoko Camara. One would say he is born to be a goalkeeper, but he does have these moments, these little ticks that he must really work on.

From there Wydad were comfortable and Kotoko were brave, still pushing on trying to make things happen but there was really nothing of note. There was a goal that was rightly ruled offside, if some deem that worth mentioning. If Coach Zito is to be questioned, it has to do with starting lineup, it could have and should have been better. However, what went on in the game was just that one or two missed opportunities and a gap that is not impossible to close over the next few years but probably will not. Kotoko had bright spots, Amidu Acquah could have impacted the game, but the red card ended his time on the pitch early, another question Coach Zito ought to answer. Samba and Ablorh were good on the day and though to this point in his Kotoko journey, not played a clearly defined role, Hubert Gyau seems to have a big future at the club.

If something strange happens in Casablanca on Friday, Wydad will rue their chances in the second half to extend the lead. Strange things happen in football, but I think the data and science will predict a respectable loss for Kotoko. A goal away would be fine.

By Myles Kusi - footaholic

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