Asante Kotoko were held to a 0–0 stalemate by Heart of Lions in their matchday four Ghana Premier League clash at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Saturday, as the Porcupine Warriors’ hunt for a first league victory since returning from continental duty continued.
Fresh from advancing to the second qualifying round of the CAF Confederation Cup with a 5–3 aggregate triumph over Nigeria’s Kwara United, Kotoko came into the fixture full of confidence and eager to transfer their form to the domestic stage. Head coach Abdul Karim Zito fielded a strong starting lineup, captained by Samba O’Niel with Aziz Dari in goal.
Kotoko dominated possession in the opening half, but their superiority failed to produce the breakthrough.
Emmanuel Antwi and Hubert Gyau both went close with half-chances, while Joseph Amoah’s long-range strike forced a fine save from the Lions’ goalkeeper.
The visitors, however, proved tactically disciplined. Compact in defence and lively on the counter, Lions used their pace on the flanks to keep Kotoko’s backline alert, though they too lacked the killer pass in the final third.
Seeking greater urgency after the restart, Zito brought on Seth for Donzo, and later introduced Walid and Asiedu in a double change.
The substitutions injected energy, with Amoah laying off a neat chance for Antwi in the 54th minute, only for the forward’s tame effort to be comfortably gathered.
Lions carved a rare opening in the 66th minute from a free kick just outside the box, but the attempt whistled narrowly wide. Kotoko responded moments later with a set-piece of their own, but they too failed to capitalise.
The Porcupines piled forward in the closing stages, with Gyau and Lord Amoah combining to win a corner in the 76th minute.
A late change saw Amoh replace Peter Amidu with three minutes left, but Kotoko’s dominance yielded no breakthrough as Lions held firm to secure a valuable point on the road.
The result leaves Kotoko still without a league win since their continental exploits, while Heart of Lions will take pride in a resilient away performance that showcased their defensive organisation and fighting spirit in Kumasi.
