[Flashback] Asante Kotoko defeated English side Stoke City in Kumasi – Full details

Most of us were not around when it happened. But that does not mean that we don’t need to know. And thanks to our historians and records keepers, we are able to know the past!

The various records showed that our country used to be very great in the past – the name Ghana is said to mean the Warrior King! So, what actually happened to bring us back to where we are now?

There are those who even believe that our country is under some forms of spell due to some forms of offences committed against some of the Patriots in the past. Well, let’s assume none of those theories are true and have a look at some greatness we have achieved before.- Advertisement –

On Sunday, March 3, 1968, a Ghanaian first division soccer club (Asante Kotoko), a champion club of Ghana at the time scored the touring English first division club Stoke City at the Kumasi Sports Stadium now Baba Yara Stadium by three goals to one!

Gordon Banks, the second world best goalkeeper at the time and the best in the history of the English soccer could not defend the English club despite all miracles he has done at the world cup in 1966.

Due to his track records, all attention was on Banks. He never conceded more than two goals in a game during the 1966 world cup, but the Kumasi boys proved to him that Ghana is Ghana. They placed 3 balls into his net!

The Kotoko boys started the game poorly which resulted in conceding a 10th-minute goal from Alan Bloor, putting Stoke City in the lead. But the table turned in favour of the Kumasi boys and this resulted in the equalizer in the 24th minute after a brilliant combination between Osei Kofi and Abukari Gariba. This caused Osei Kofi to place the ball at the back of Banks’ net.

In the 68th minute, Abukari Scored to put the Porcupines in front before Osei Kofi made it three.- Advertisement –

In the return leg at Stoke City’s ground, Stoke avenged defeat, beating Kotoko 3-2, but Osei Kofi, the Dribbling Magician as he was affectionately known scored two goals again, and once again it was Gordon Banks. Following the match, Gordon Bank compared Osei Kofi to George Best. Although Stoke offered a contract to Osei Kofi, he was not to return to the UK, a decision he says he never regretted.

Lineups

Asante Kotoko: Vanden Boosch, Assuming, Boateng, Berko, Iddi, Ibrahim Sunday, Osei Kofi, Mfum, Malik Jabir, Abukari Gariba and Osumanu Orlando

Stoke City: Gordon Banks, Alex Elder, Bill Bentley, John Marsh, Alan Bloor, Willy Stephenson, Terry Conroy, George Eastham, Peter Dobing, John Mohoney and Hurry Burrows.

Credit:Myfabulousonline