Asante Kotoko send strong title message after victory at Karela United

Sports/ GPL (Kumasi, Ghana) Sep 8 (Futball Surgery Sports)- Asante Kotoko began their 2024/2025 Ghana Premier League season with a 1-0 away win at tough territory Karela United sending a strong message for Ghana’s top flight title this season.

Asante Kotoko kicked off the new season on a high note by securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over their long-standing rivals, Karela United FC, at the Naa Sheriga Sports Centre in Nareligu.

This triumph not only earned the Porcupine Warriors their first three points of the campaign but also ended a challenging seven-game winless streak against Karela.

The decisive moment came in the first half, courtesy of a new signing, Albert Amoah, who marked his debut with a crucial goal.

After a tightly contested opening 37 minutes, Amoah showcased his talent with a powerful strike from inside the box that thundered off the underside of the crossbar, leaving Karela’s goalkeeper, Mohammed Ganiu, with no chance.

This goal was a significant boost for the Porcupine Warriors as they sought to start the season on a positive note.

Kotoko’s new recruits were instrumental in the victory. Congolese defender Samba O’Neil and Sudanese left-back Esmat Abdulhamid made their first starts, providing stability at the back.

Meanwhile, Guinean goalkeeper Mohamed Camara, standing in for the absent Frederick Asare, delivered a stellar performance, making crucial saves in the second half to deny Karela’s relentless attempts to equalize.

Despite Karela’s improved performance and increased urgency in the second half, they were unable to break down the resilient Kotoko defense.

Camara’s heroics between the posts ensured that Kotoko held on to their slender lead and secured a vital victory to kickstart their season.

There is an argument about Fedrick Asare, who is with the Black Stars in 2025 AFCON qualifiers, to be axed for Camara for Kotoko’s first choice goalkeeper. Given the Guinean’s impact against Karela, there is a strong case to go in favour of the debate.

The 24-year old possesses great confidence, reflexes and passing abilities that put him on top of Asare in the pegging order. And indeed, it was these qualities of the shot-stopper that contributed to Kotoko’s crucial victory in the Northern part of Ghana.