CAFCC: Asante Kotoko player ratings against Zesco United after 2-1 win

Asante Kotoko returned to winning ways with an eventful 2-1 victory over Group C leaders, Zesco United on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 evening at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

The game saw Kwame Conte Bonsu and Emmanuel Gyamfi all get on the scoresheet as the Porcupine Warriors recorded their first victory in the 2018-19 Total CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Find out how Asante Kotoko players fared here.

Asante Kotoko 4-5-1

Felix Van Annan 8.5 Made a pair of outrageous saves to deny Kenyan international Jessie Were from the spot and later Simon Siliwimba after a thunderous header from a corner kick on the 84th-minute was tipped over the bar by the Kotoko custodian. No chance with the goal scored by Ghanaian ace Rahim Osumanu.

Augustine Sefa 7 A typically unruffled and solid evening for Sefah who rarely gave the ball away, he continues to offer a purposeful display for the Reds, although often defensively vulnerable.

Amos Frimpong 7 Felt as if the game passed him by in the second half. He came into it a bit more as Kotoko pressed towards the end, offering width down the left, but couldn't deliver the telling ball ultimately. He soldiered on and helped his team get a vital maximum points.

Emmanuel Agyemang Badu 6.5 Unlucky to have conceded a 26th-minute penalty when he brought down Lazarous Kambole which was eventually saved by Felix Annan. Badu was particularly culpable for Zesco's goal, slowing down and allowing Rahim Osumanu, to sprint ahead of him to score Zesco's consolation but otherwise, a good display, showing good timing in the tackle.

Ismail Ganiyu 8 Playing again with Badu as a pair of tall, physical center backs. Ganiyu made numerous headed clearances and perhaps his only fault was being out of position on a counter-attack when Rahim Osumanu meandered his way through to reduce the deficit for Zesco United in the 73rd-minute mark. All in all, a solid performance.

Richard Senanu 6.5 Not at his influential best but still pretty effective and played pretty deep and protected the defense before coming off injured in the 79th minute to be replaced by new signing Habib Mohammed.

Kwame Bonsu 8.5 He continues to look a real gem, showing brilliant game awareness and passing range to maintain possession under pressure. Bonsu grafted when it was demanded and produced artistic passing when given the opportunity and got Kotoko's first goal when he fed on Yacouba's sublime pass from the left wing.

Emmanuel Gyamfi 7.5 It was another great game for the winger, who continues to show how valuable he is to the Kotoko setup, covering every blade of grass as the game demanded. Fetched Asante Kotoko's second goal in the 28th-minute mark after receiving a fine pass from hard working Sogne Yacouba from the left wing and remained a bright spark, although sometimes a little too hasty on the ball.

Maxwell Baakoh 7 It was a game of two halves for Baakoh as well. In the first half, the former Karela FC winger wasn’t nearly as sharp as he looked in Kotoko's previous games, and had a few turnovers. Of course, he was also getting hacked all over the pitch, which may have made an impact on him mentally. He seemed back to his creative, normal self in the second half, combining with his midfield partners. His best chance on goal came on a pass from Steven Nyarko, but the diminutive winger poked it into the waiting hands of goalkeeper Jacob Banda.

Abdul Fatawu Safiu 9 Always had his head up, always driving forward looking to build on his side’s dominance. He was a constant source of concern for the Zesco defense, playing up his usual antics and putting Zesco defenders on their toes. An outstanding player and earn himself PrimeNewsGhana's man-of-the-match accolade. 

Sogne Yacouba 8.5 Recorded two great assists to take his tally of assists to 5 in the competition but was not able to really get the game by the horns. Had more shots than anyone in the game, but could not make any others count, and Kotoko desperately needed him but he was removed for Stephen Nyarko in the 79th minute as his goal drought in the competition continues.

Substitutes

Habib Mohammed N/A Didn’t see a lot of the ball on his debut for the Reds when he came on for injured Senanu in midfield but made a couple of strong challenges to stop Zesco in the attack. 

Steven Nyarko N/A came on in the final moments to help Kotoko close out the result but had basically no impact on the game.

READ ALSO: CAFCC: Asante Kotoko scale pass bluffing Zesco United but remain stagnant on the log

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