Steven Mukwala, Richard Boadu and Nicholas Mensah score as Asante Kotoko stun King Faisal 3-0 at Baba Yara Sports Stadium
Asante Kotoko beat King Faisal 3-0 in Kumasi derby at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the Ghana Premier League on Monday evening.
A strong start saw Asante Kotoko took an early lead after Steven Mukwala tapped in Dickson Afoakwa’s cross before Richard Boadu converted a penalty kick as Kotoko ended the first half 2-0 up. Nicholas Mensah only goal in the second half wrapped the 3-0 thrashing of Jimmy Cobblah’s side.
The return of the Ghana Premier League this weekend, saw Asante Kotoko continue from where they left it before the temporary break from Ash Gold’s placed injunction when they faced King Faisal in the Kumasi derby in Monday night football.
After a major heartbreak in their African campaign, Kotoko launched a heavy approach to the Ghana Premier League title defence, drawing in a game that they should have won against arch rivals Hearts of Oak in their first league game of the season and beat Nsoatreman Football Club in outstanding fixture some three days later.
In preparing for a tricky clash with the neighbours King Faisal, the season was handed a much anticipated suspension following Ash Gold’s injunction in early season.
King Faisal were thought to have escaped Kotoko’s forces after the injunction but still waited to face it later on after matchday 4 fixture brought the two sides to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium a month later.
Energetic Asante Kotoko unsurprisingly got the better offs King Faisal in early stages of the game but in those moments, they were not brilliant enough to burst into lead.
But there were huge signs of hunger from players and much improvement in play. Dickson Afoakwa, Nicholas Mensah, Andrews Appau and Steven Mukwala were more precisely the men to improve their game.
And all these men were involved in Kotoko’s all three goals with Mukwala breaking the deadlock on 12′ minute before providing two assists later. Dickson Afoakwa assisted the Ugandan International who scored his first goal of the season with a fine finish of a fine tap in.
The overall proceeding was a masterclass with Dickson Afoakwa and Christopher Nettey exchanging on the right flank, sucking in about three King Faisal men and out of the equation, before Afoakwa sent in a superb cross for Mukwala to tap in with his left foot to the bottom left corner.
It is the Ugandan’s first goal for Asante Kotoko that relieves him off pressure after been lambasted for squandering numerous chances.
Mukwala nearly grabbed his second goal of the night midway following John Tedeku’s cross inside the box but the center forward was brought down in a career threatening tackle by King Faisal goal-keeper for a penalty.
Richard Boadu did a Zidane vs Buffon scenario in the 2006 FIFA World Cup after the France skipper struck beneath of the crossbar. Boadu struck a powerful one that went under the bar inside the net as Kotoko led 2-0.
As relentless Kotoko were, it was obvious that Seydou Zerbo men will only increase the tally and thanks to Nicholas Mensah who extended the lead early in the second half with a good finish which King Faisal goal-keeper should have saved his side from conceding the third goal.
In Mensah strike, Afoakwa and Mukwala were heavily involved after the former teased his marker on the right edge before sending a carpet pass into the box for Mukwala, the Ugandan turned and fed Nicholas Mensah at the left who struck a one-time shot but the keeper’s touch was not strong enough to prevent the ball from entering the net.
One of the second half subs Eric Serge Zeze fed Nicholas Mensah on the left edge, Zeze’s pass was accurate that an experience man will bury the chance but immature Nicholas Mensah’s effort was pounced that still hit the woodwork as King Faisal run away from conceding the fourth of the night.
The hosts had their ways around Kotoko half but it was difficult to break their defense. Asante Kotoko have won their last two Ghana Premier League games against Nsoatreman FC and today’s opponents. They have 7 points at 5th place, 3 more points below toppers Aduana Stars but Kotoko have an outstanding game against Bechem United.
