Asante Kotoko Striker Franck Etouga Records Just Ten Touches Against Hearts of Oak

• Asante Kotoko striker Franck Etouga was an anonymous figure at the Accra Sports Stadium as his side were beaten by Hearts of Oak
• Hearts of Oak won the battle of supremacy against the Porcupine Warriors in the 2022 edition of the President's Cup
• Etouga, who played the entirety of the game, performed poorly in the ceremonial game played on Friday evening

Franck Mbella Etouga was a virtual spectator in Asante Kotoko's narrow defeat to Hearts of Oak on Friday, barely featuring in the game at all and touching the ball just ten times.

The Porcupine Warriors suffered a 2-1 defeat to their bitterest rivals in the President's Cup encounter, thanks to Patrick Razak's 89th minute strike.

But Cameroonian forward, Etouga, once more failed to impress against the Phobians, or indeed even make himself noticed out on the pitch at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The leading goal scorer in the ongoing Ghana Premier League - with 13 goals - recorded his first touch of the evening on Friday, kicking off for Asante Kotoko to get proceedings underway.

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But that was about all Kotoko fans saw of him in a dire opening 45 minutes for the Cameroonian, who mustered just three more touches before the half-time whistle blew.

The second half was hardly any better and he finished the match having had contact with the ball on just six occasions.

How Hearts of Oak defeated Asante Kotoko

With momentum on the side of the Porcupine Warriors owing to their rich vein of form in the league, Kotoko went into the game as the huge favourites.

However, a resolute Hearts of Oak were slightly ahead in the opening exchanges of the first half but as the game grew their dominance waned with the game becoming evenly balanced.

A goalless and largely boring first half ushered in a frenetic second stanza which witnessed the Phobians drawing first blood through danger man Daniel Barnieh after 50 minutes.

The former Black Satellites skipper's goal sparked the fury of Asante Kotoko as they peppered the goal area of the Phobians.

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A raft of changes by Kotoko coach Prosper Narteh Ogum finally paid off when Samuel Boateng found the equalizer with less than 15 minutes left on the clock.

On the other side of the divide, Samuel Boadu responded with a trident substitution with one out of the trio getting the match-winner in the mould of Patrick Razak.

Despite the late onslaught by Kotoko, the defence of Hearts stood impermeable as they held on to record a 2-1 win over their rivals.

Sulley Muntari Wins First Trophy With Hearts of Oak

Sports Brief earlier reported that Legendary Ghana international Sulley Muntari has won his first trophy with Hearts of Oak after joining them last month.

The 37-year-old put up a superb performance as the Phobians defeated their arch-rivals Asante Kotoko 2-1 to win the 2022 President's Cup on Friday evening.

Muntari played 81 minutes of the game and was subbed off by Gladson Awako.

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