Asante Kotoko captain Samba O’Neil headed home a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser to rescue a point for the Porcupine Warriors on matchday 12 of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.
The Guinean defender completed a spirited comeback, flying high to nod home the equaliser that spared Karim Zito’s side a home defeat and sent their supporters into relief after a difficult afternoon.
Medeama made a blistering start, silencing the home crowd just five minutes in. Derrick Fordjour opened the scoring with a stunning low strike to the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Mohammed Camara rooted to the spot.
Kotoko attempted to respond immediately after the restart, and nearly found the equaliser when Peter Amidu rattled the woodwork from an Inusah Adams cross in the 12th minute.
Three minutes later, disaster struck for Kotoko. Samba O’Neil was penalised for a foul on Prince Owusu inside the box, and Mubarik Yussif confidently tucked the penalty beyond Camara to hand Ibrahim Tanko’s side a 2-0 advantage.
Before the spot-kick, Medeama were forced into an early change as Paul Yeboah replaced the injured Desmond Baffoe.
Zito reacted by bringing on Musa Hamzata for Lord Hilary Adabo on the half-hour mark, as Kotoko tried to stabilise.
Medeama nearly added a third when Prince Owusu’s long-range effort flew narrowly over, while Inusah Adams’ 20-yard strike was comfortably saved by Felix Kyei. Inusah missed again from close range three minutes before the break.
Tempers flared late in the half as Lord Amoah was booked for a dangerous tackle on Kelvin Nkrumah, who had sprinted past O’Neil and was bearing down on goal.
In added time, Kwame Opoku wasted a golden chance, striking the crossbar with an empty net at his mercy. Medeama countered swiftly and almost punished Kotoko, but Camara produced a key save.
Kotoko went into the break trailing 2–0 after failing to convert multiple opportunities.
The second half took on a different complexion, with Medeama dropping deep and refusing to venture beyond the halfway line. Kotoko seized control, dominating possession and territory.
Their pressure paid off just after the hour mark when Peter Amidu Acquah connected sweetly inside the box to beat Kyei and halve the deficit. Earlier, Tanko had introduced Mantey for Fuzy Taylor in the 53rd minute.
Tanko reacted immediately after Kotoko’s goal, bringing on Babel and Nyarko for Prince Owusu and Derrick Fordjour.
Kotoko continued to pile forward, winning almost every second ball. Kwame Opoku went close again, heading narrowly wide before being replaced by Amoh. Youngster Lawson Kyei Manu later came on for Moffing Donzo as Kotoko threw everything forward.
Medeama held firm and looked set to leave Kumasi with all three points—until O’Neil struck deep into stoppage time to break their resistance.
The referee added seven minutes, a lifeline Kotoko desperately capitalised on to avoid a second straight defeat after their midweek loss to Basake Holy Stars.
The draw keeps Medeama second on 23 points, behind Aduana Stars who lost 1–0 to GoldStars. Asante Kotoko, meanwhile, drop to fifth, two points off the top of the table.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
