Asante Kotoko SC suffered a setback in their quest to defend the Ghana Premier League title after being held to a draw by newly-promoted Tamale City on Sunday.
The newly promoted side put in a spirited performance to earn a crucial point from the match after holding the defending champions to a 1-1 stalemate at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
Kotoko’s interim coach Abdulai Gazale made three changes to the team that suffered a 2-0 loss to Great Olympics in the midweek with Dickson Afoakwa earning his fourth start of the season.
Shadrack Addo came in to replace Ivorian import Eric Serge Zeze, who is absent due to an injury, while Enoch Morrison replaced the suspended Richmond Nii Lamptey.
City head coach Mohammed Hamza, on the other hand, made few alterations to the the team that smashed giants Hearts of Oak by a 4-1 scoreline in Tamale last Wednesday.
The Porcupine Warriors drew first blood in the matchday 29 fixture after youngster Rocky Dwanema scored a wonderful goal in the 36th minute.
Dwamena received a short pass a few metres behind the centre circle before launching a thunderous strike, which beat the goalkeeper Tijani Cissé.
The Tamale Citizens got the equalising goal a few minutes later through Mohammed Yahaya after taking advantage of a defensive mishap by Kotoko.
Substitute Godfred Abban nearly broke the heart of the Kumasi fans, but his strike from outside the box struck the framework in the dying embers of the match.
Kotoko are seven points behind leaders Aduana Stars, who have a game in hand.
They are now 6th on the league standings with 43 points from 29 matches meanwhile Tamale City drops to the relegation zone despite the draw.
Sourcs: soccanews.com
