Asante Kotoko head coach, Seydou Zerbo, has jumped to the defence of Steven Mukwala following the striker's no-show in the stalemate against Aduana Football Club on Sunday, January 1.

The Porcupine Warriors faced the Ogya lads on New Year's day hoping to overtake them and move into the top position.

However, the league's defending champions could only afford one point in Dormaa as they played out goalless draw.

One of the game's highlights was the isolation of Mukwala up front for Kotoko but Zerbo believes the midfield found it tough to create chances.

"We saw the performance of Mukwala today, we had a problem in the midfield to give him support up front that is why it happened this way," he told StarTimes after the game.

The gaffer was also quick to comment on the performance of Serge Eric Zeze, who also struggled to make this happen for the Kumasi-based side.

"We counted a lot on Zeze because he prepared very well during the week for this game but this football. It doesn't always work the way you want from him."

Kotoko remain second on the league table, two points behind Aduana after 10 games played in the betPawa Ghana Premier League,