Asante Kotoko’s international friendly with Société Omnisports de l’Armée (SOA) produced little entertainment as they played out a barren draw Wednesday afternoon.
The Ivorian champions started strongly, dominating the midfield exchanges but the Porcupines kept their cool and gradually warmed themselves into the game at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Kelvin Andoh came close to scoring the opener but his curled effort was saved by goalkeeper Kouadio Serginho.
Both sides showed a lack of bite up-front as the first half ended as it started.
Kotoko made five changes after recess. Wahab Adams, Martin Antwi, Naby Keita, Mudasiru Salifu and Ugandan George Abege replaced Godfred Asiamah, Augustine Sefah, Justice Blay, Emmanuel Gyamfi and Richard Arthur respectively.
SOA came close but their effort was nicely saved by Felix Annan for a corner kick.
Kotoko coach Kjetil Zachariassen pushed more men upfront in his quest to snatch a win but the attackers could not go through the defensive wall of the visitors.
Antwi, who was introduced in the second half, got substituted five minutes from time. He was replaced by Augustine Okrah.
Okrah announced his presence with few minutes to end the game with a well-delivered free-kick from 35 yards which missed the posts by inches.
Both clubs used the game as preparatory exercise ahead of the 2019/20 Caf Champions League preliminary round next month. Kotoko have been pitted against Nigeria side Kano Pillars while Société Omnisports de I’Armée will take on FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania.
Kotoko starting XI:
Felix Annan – Augustine Sefah, Evans Owusu, Empem Dacosta, Habib Mohammed – Justice Blay, Jordan Opoku – Kelvin Andoh, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Godfred Asiamah, Richard Arthur
