Kotoko silence Hearts in Kumasi

Kumasi Asante Kotoko nailed their old rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak 3-2 in their week 14 match of the Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Stadium, yesterday.

Contrary to pre-match claim by the Phobians of a massive victory, it was the Asanteman contingent that won thebragging rights.

Hearts launched the first attack under a minute but Hamza Issah’s connection to Michael Ampadu’s low cross from the right flew miles over the bar.

Kotoko responded almost imme­diately at the other end following a swift move spearheaded by Steven Mukwala, but the final delivery of Peter Amidu only hit the side net.

Steven Mukwala almost broke the deadlock with a powerful header from a corner kick, but Richmond Ayi in post for the Phobians denied the Ugandan.

The next big opportunity again fell to Mukwala whose acrobatic attempt at the far end missed target by inches.

The Phobians, playing as hosts at the Baba Yara stadium, shook the stadium when they burst into the lead in the 38th minute when Linda Mtange headed home a free kick from outside the box.

On resumption, it was quite an ut­terly baffling half for the hosts that allowed the visitors to give a pretty good impression of themselves.

It was all Kotoko as they cut into pieces their “old foes”. They were ruthless in the attack and in the 56th minute when IssacOppong increased the tally.

Their ecstasy would reach a crescendo 18 minutes later when the Ugandan import doubled Kotoko’s advantage after a defensive blunder.

He capitalised on a feeble back pass from Kelvin OseiAssibey to beat the onrushing Ayi before slot­ting the ball into a yawning net.

Hearts vigorously fought back after conceding the third goal, allowing Kotoko to exploit their desperation to their advantage with counter breaks.

Their persistence, however, paid off in stoppage time when they pulled one back through Martin Karikari but the goal only turned out to be a consolation goal for the Accra-based club.

 FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI

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