Asante Kotoko stun Nsoatreman FC in outstanding Ghana Premier League
Asante Kotoko beat newly promoted side Nsoatrema FC 2-1 in outstanding Ghana Premier League week 1 at the Baba Yara Sports Wednesday.
Kotoko were denied victory against title rivals Hearts of Oak last Sunday following major referee decisions. Despite drawing, it was one of Kotoko’s best outputs and Seydou Zerbo kept faith in that lineup when they faced Nsoatreman in midweek.
And the champions were more improved than they were against Hearts of Oak. Goals from Stephen Amankona and Isaac Oppong were enough to hand Kotoko their first win in this season’s Ghana Premier League.
Right from onset, it was evident that the pitch distracted by a heavy pour will affect quality of play as Asante Kotoko were the side to began strongly.
They broke the deadlock after Amankona converted a penalty. The winger had latched onto Richard Boadu’s long through ball before Amankona was fouled in the box. Kotoko were lucky this time to have received the grace of officiating after the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
If it were last Sunday, the incident would have been overlooked. Kotoko should have extended the lead before the end of first half but failed after Steven Mukwala missing some glorious goal-scoring opportunities.
Mukwala’s finishing ability has been a big problem for Asante Kotoko not only in this game but since start of the season but Seydou Zerbo may be pleasant of the forward’s footwork linking the team well on many occasions.
Mukwala’s footwork coupled with a team movement came into the picture after the Ugandan International combined with Isaac Oppong to doubled Kotoko’s lead early in the second half.
Mukwala fed Isaac Oppong with a low simple pass as the Ghanaian run through into the box before firing beyond Yaw Ansah.
Nsoatreman responded quickly with a spirited performance that had resulted in a corner. Philip Ofori raised above Kotoko’s defense to head as the ball hit the far posts to reduced the deficit.
The game’s tempo rise as the away side pushed Asante Kotoko for the leveler but all their attacks within the interval were real unthreatening.
Kotoko warmed into the game but matters were only on balanced terms with Nsoatreman standing tall in a ding dong affair.
Kotoko managed to launch attack as Serge Zeze turned and fed Enock Morrison whose strike went into Yaw Ansah’s arms.
Nsoatreman’s return attack forced Richard Boadu fouling his opponent just inches into the box but Andrews Appau was there to clear the resultant free kick.
Nsoatreman continued to troubled Asante Kotoko but failed to creat any clear opportunity. But it was different for Kotoko who got some key chances to cause a change in the 2-1 score line but Isaac Oppong, Mukwala and Mfegue who came in late in the second half failed to capitalize on those opportunities.
Kotoko have 4 points so far with another outstanding game against Bechem United next Wednesday. Until that they face King Faisal on Sunday for week 4 of the Ghana Premier League.
