In-form Asante Kotoko striker Abdul Fataw Safiu has heaped praises on teammate and goalkeeper Felix Annan for his magnificent saves in the club’s 2-0 victory over Regional rivals Ashgold at the Baba Yara Stadium in week 4 of the NC Special Cup.
Annan put up some superlative saves on crucial occasions to deny regional rivals Ashgold from scoring in Wednesday’s epic clash.
It has always been the norm for many followers of the beautiful game to shower praises on the names that appear on the score sheets rather than that of goalkeepers who put in exquisite saves to protect these goals.
It is therefore very common to see goalscorers grabbing the headlines and becoming the talk of town to the detriment of the men between the sticks.
Their enormous efforts are mostly overlooked and swept under the carpet.
Everyone can become a good footballer but it is also undeniable that not everyone can become a goalkeeper, hence the efforts of the men in gloves must be respected and acknowledged.
The Porcupine Warriors secured a back to back victories over Eleven Wonders and Ashanti Gold in the NC Special Competition with consecutive brace from star man Abdul Fataw Safiu who has been outstanding since joining Kotoko last year.
The host weren’t on top of their game right from the beginning with the visitors tormenting their goal area until the break but GK Felix Annan made all their efforts futile by pulling up 3 exquisite saves, denying striker and captain Shafiu Mumuni from hitting the back of the twine.
Abdul Fataw Safiu scored 2 goals within 6 minutes back from recess to clinch all 3 points for CK Akonnor’s side.
Fataw opened the scoring for the home side on the 71st minute before wrapping up victory for Kotoko with a 77th minute strike.
Assistant coach Akapo Patron after the match was full of praise for Felix Annan but preferred Fataw’s brace to Annan’s brilliant saves.
However 2 goals hero Abdul Fataw Safiu thinks otherwise, choosing the efforts of Felix over his double.
“No, I think I will go for Felix rather than my brace” said the former Eleven Wonders striker when quizzed to choose between his two goals and Annan’s saves.
Asante Kotoko currently sit top of their group with 9 points while Abdul Fataw Safiu leads the top scorers chart with 4 after hitting two successive brace against Eleven Wonders and Ashgold.
By: Agyei Peprah Promise/ Abusua FM