Asante Kotoko defeated premier league newcomers Nsoatreman FC 2-1 in an outstanding betPawa Premier League match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Wednesday to record their first win of the season.
The Porcupine Warriors scored in the early minutes of either half to secure maximum points which moved them to the ninth position on the league log on four points from two matches.
Midfielder Stephen Amankona shot the home side into the lead in the 12th minute through a spot kick — his first goal for Kotoko — after he was fouled in the penalty box by Nsoatreman defender Richard Akrofi.
Kotoko announced their intention to carry the day in the second minute of the game when Steven Mukwala beat the visiting side’s defensive wall but played the ball into the waiting hands of goalkeeper Yaw Owusu Ansah.
The Ugandan forward would be presented with another glorious opportunity 28th minute when he was put in scoring position with a through pass by Serge Zeze but shot wide with Nsoateman goalkeeper at his mercy.
Asante Kotoko midfielder Serge Zeze takes on Samuel Kusi (left) of Nsoatreman FC in their clash in Kumasi
Kotoko dominated the first half and created some chances but could not increase the tally going into the break.
Two minutes after recess Kotoko registered the second goal the 47th minute through Isaac Oppong who latched to a through pass by Mukwala, sprinted with the ball past his Nsoatreman markers before firing the ball past goalkeeper Ansah who made a failed attempt to save the shot.
Nsoatreman, who sat back in their half and soaked up pressure for the most past of the first half, opened up and took to the game to their opponents as they returned fire in search of a goal. The pressure paid off in the 50th minute after the Kotoko defenders failed to deal with a header by Philip Ofori which stunned the home side and reduced the deficit.
Moments earlier Ofori brought the best out of goalkeeper Danlad who had to stretch to punch a 20-metre shot to corner amid to wild applause from the Kotoko fans. However, the Nsoatreman player could not be denied his glory from
the resultant kick as he ghosted past two Kotoko defenders to head Baba Mahama’s cross to the far corner of the post leaving Danlad stranded on his line without cover.
Fired up by the goal, the visitors began to threaten their opponents in the second half as they pressed on for the equalising goal but lacked the cutting edge to deny Kotoko a win.
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