Asante Kotoko maintained their unbeaten away record by playing out a barren stalemate with Berekum Chelsea Saturday afternoon.
The 2021/22 Ghana Premier League (GPL) match-day 13 fixture at Golden City Park was the 6th time the Porcupine Warirors were playing away from home – picked 4 wins and two drawn games.
The Bibires – playing in front of a partizan home crowd – started brightly and looked the more likely to score in the opening 10 minutes.
Their biggest chance – during the spell of dominance – came the way of your forward Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli but his attempted intelligent strike missed the target in the 9th minute.
Kotoko gradually settled and began to take control of play.
Midway into the first half, young Berekum Chelsea midfielder Edwin Kuffour caught Cameroonian forward Georges Mfegue at the back of the head with an elbow knock but escaped a sending off by referee Jones Akubiem who opted to caution him with a yellow, much to.the chagrin of the Kotoko players.
This had come after Kotoko midfielder Richard Boadu received a yellow card after his hand accidentally hit a player of the hosts.
Berekum Chelsea nearly gifted Kotoko a goal following a miscommunication between defender Stephen Anokye Badu and goalkeeper Gregory Obeng Sekyere. But Franck Etouga Mbella failed to capitalize and punish them.
The centre referee’s would know no ceasure in the second half with Kuffour once more going scot free after hacking down winger Stephen Amankona near the penalty box.
Come the 78th minute, referee Akubiem controversially awarded Chelsea a penalty after substitute Kofi Owusu’s effort came off the rib area of defender Mubarick Yusif. Despite being close to the spot, the Nsawam-based referee whistled for a handball.
Berekum Chelsea’s regular penalty taker Anokye Badu stepped up but his effort was saved by Kotoko goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim.
Kotoko were under incessant pressure in the final 10 minutes but managed to hold firm and come away with a point from the Golden City Park.
The record league champions remain top of the standings with 27 points from 12 games. Berekum Chelsea, who have played a game more, have 14 points.
