Asante Kotoko 2-0 Eleven Wonders: Samuel Boateng and Isaac Oppong goals keep Prosper Narteh Ogum’s side winning streak intact
Asante Kotoko unbeaten run to start of the season remains intact after beating Eleven Wonders 2-0 at Baba Yara Stadium on Saturday night.
Samuel Boateng broke the deadlock in the first half to register his second goal of the campaign before young sensation Isaac Oppong doubled the lead in the second half for his third goal of the season.
The home side fought hard to defeat Techiman Eleven Wonders in Kumasi to maintain their winning streak after fourth Ghana Premier League fixture.
They had accumulated 9 points from first three games with Wonders no a side to break Kotoko’s winning streak. Kotoko were handed a major boost in the title race after King Faisal lost their first game of the season to Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park on Friday.
Kotoko capitalized on that crucial slip, giving Wonders their second loss of the season. The away side have never won a game this season, losing once and picking two draws from their previous three fixtures.
Having prepared to Kumasi for a victory, Kotoko beat them to deepen their woes lying 15th position just a place above relegation zone. The hosts opened the score against the run of play after Samuel Boateng striking with his weaker foot to the far posts.
Mudasiru Salifu intercepted a pass right behind the box, played Boateng through on goal at the left edge. The sharp forward touched once and planted the ball far on the right posts.
Despite Kotoko leading in the first half, they were unconvincing in the final third. The problem arises from confliction between positioning of Fabio Gama and Richmond Lamptey. The Brazilian has been played wide on the left side handing Lamptey the no. 10 role.
By this challenge since week two, Kotoko had not been able to play through the middle, the centrality of Prosper Narteh Ogum’s brand of football he wants to instilled at Baba Yara Stadium.
Ogum’s men struggled in the first 15’ minutes to breach Wonders’ middle men but Kotoko comfortably enjoyed possession in their own half. Ogum was smart enough to identify the problem and made change with Gama enrolled on the no. role as Richmond Lamptey shifted to wide left.
The game began flowing for Asante Kotoko as they saw more of the ball in final third. Few minutes later, they broke the deadlock though not from a team build up play but still from dominance in final third moment with Mudasiru Salifu putting pressure on Wonders’ back line to dispossess their build up.
After the first goal, Wonders dominant to end of first half. That was when Lamptey and Gama had switched back to their respective positions they started.
Kotoko rose into absolute dominance in the second half as they started creating goal scoring chance but the man to put it back of the net was a problem. Second half sub Mfegue Rodriguez was the first to launch attempt on goal striking with his left foot after receiving a pass from Christopher Nettey at the right edge.
The Cameroonian forward’s effort went over the cross bar. Few minutes later, he shot at goal from outside the box that went over the cross bar again. Fabio Gama, Samuel Boateg and Mudasiru Salifu got the chances but failed to double Kotoko’s lead.
Isaac Oppong finally scored Kotoko’s second goal after being played through on goal at the left flank by Gama. The youngster beat his marker as he entered the box before placing it beyond Wonders keeper from tight angle.
The teenager has been the most influential ace in the Kotoko set-up providing three assists and grabbing two goals after week three. Today’s goal sends him on three goals and three assists after week four.
Asante Kotoko will travel to face Karela United in matchday five next week. They lead the table with 12 points highlighting 100% record so far while King Faisal sit second with 9 points.
