Asante Kotoko continued their winless streak at the Nana Agyemang Badu II Park on Thursday after they held hosts Aduana Stars to a one all draw in matchday fifteen of the Normalisation Committee Special Competition.
The Porcupine Warriors needed either a win or draw to qualify to the semi-final stage of the competition and did exactly so by sharing spoils with the Ogya Lads to join arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak in the last four.
Winger Emmanuel Gyamfi broke the deadlock for the visitors to the surprise of the home fans who thronged the match venue with a sumptuous header in the 37th minute.
However, Aduana Stars responded two minutes later with the leveler through Abdul Fataw Raman.
Both teams despite creating some good scoring opportunities after break failed to put the ball at the back of the net, ending the crunchy clash one apiece after final whistle.
Coach C.K Akonnor had to make two quick changes in the 73rd minute when he brought on Kwame Boahene to replace goal scorer Emmanuel Gyamfi with Abass Mohammed making way for Amos Frimpong.
Songne Yacouba wasn’t at his best form and had be substituted for Obed Owusu in the second half.
Aduana Stars on the other hand, in their quest to clinch all three pints strengthened their squad back from recess when ace midfielder Emmanuel Akuoko came on for Farouk Adams with Bright Adjei making way for Abu Saddick but their introduction into the game could not fetch the Ogya Lads any goal.
Kotoko, by virtue of the draw have qualify to the last four at the expense of Medeama on head-to head basis and will have to wait for the outcome of the game between Eleven Wonders and AshantiGold which continues from the 38th minute on Friday after the game was rained off to determine the second team that qualifies from the Premier A Zone.
Asante Kotoko start list:
Felix Annan, Habib Mohammed, Abass Mohammed, Augustine Sefa, Addul Ganiu, Wahab Adams, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Prince Acquah, Stephen Nyarko, Abdul Fatawu Safiu, Songn Yacouba.
Aduana Stars start list:
Tijani Ahmed, Hafiz Adams, Caleb Amankwah, Samuel Bioh, Farouk Adams, Severin Djatti, Samuel Adams, Noah Martey, Fatawu abdulraman, Bright Adjei, Yahaya Mohammed.
Match report by ncspecialcompetition
