Asante Kotoko and AshantiGold SC battled to a pulsating goalless draw in their Ashanti derby of match day-11 at the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium yesterday.
It was a real test for interim coach Johnson Smith as he looked to bring back the smiles on the faces of their contingent, following the slim defeat against Aduana Stars in their last encounter.
However, luck eluded both sides on the day despite both teams creating the best of chances.
Few minutes into the first half, Kotoko top-scorer Kwame Opoku almost feasted on a rebound, but goalie Bailou Mohammed palmed it away in the ninth minute.
The home side gradually warmed themselves into the game to create the first chance through Eric Esso who missed the target with a shot outside the box, minutes on.
Goalkeeper Razak Abalora came off his line to win the ball with a good tackle after 20 minutes of play.
After the half hour mark, Kotoko looked to enjoy the larger portion of possession but credit to the backline of Ashgold who remained resolute to deny them the opener to end the first half in a stalemate.
Kotoko introduced Naiby Keita and Emmanuel Gyamfi for Christopher Nettey and Augustine Okrah respectively in their quest to snatch the initiative, minutes into the recess.
The tempo of the game increased as the game wore on as both sides kept pilling the pressure to break the deadlock.
The last 10 minutes of the game could have gone the way of Kotoko, but two last chances from Kwame Opoku and Brazilian import Fabio Gama went wide as the Porcupine Warriors looked disappointed with a point.
BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER
