GPL: Asante Kotoko see off Legon Cities in Kumasi

Kumasi Asante Kotoko claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Legon Cities at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium to record back-to-back league victories for the first time since December 30.

Much of the talk prior to kick-off was centered on Asante Kotoko’s abysmal home form, which had seen them at the bottom of the standings in terms of points garned at home.

The climax of the game told a different story, as some section of the fans sang songs of adulation for Prosper Ogum, who seem to have steadied a sinking ship.

A Steve Mukwala penalty and a Nurudeen Yussif goal were enough for the Porcupine Warriors to leave the battlefield unscathed.

Having last won back-to-back League home games on Christmas Eve, Mukwala was arbitrarily presented a gift when Yahaya Baba was brought down in the box.

The Ugandan made no mistake as his wonderfully dispatched penalty was preceded by a stuttering run-up before converting his 11th league goal of the season— one shy of top scorer Steve Amankonah.

Kotoko, who were the better side for much of the first half, headed into the interval with their tails up.

Mohammed Yussif was right in the act soon after the recess as the towering defender added a second, denting any possible hopes of a turnaround for the visitors.

Legon Cities struggled to create decent chances throughout the game and left Kumasi with no points.

In a game where both sides seemingly appeared to have been drapped in one attire — making it difficult to distinguish — Steve Mukwala and Nurudeen proved the gulf in quality between the sides.


Rejuvenated Porcupines
Ever since the team’s emergency Interim Management Commitee (IMC) meeting with the life Patron of the club, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Kotoko seemed to have turned a corner.

The record-winning Ghana Premier League winners defeated title-chasing Sarmarex 1-0 before advancing to nick a precious point against defending champions Medeama away from home in a a game where they actually struck first.

The victory against Paa Kwesi Fabian’s well-drilled Legon Cities comes as no surprise, with Kotoko seemingly looking to have regained their swagger, verve and mojo back with every passing performance.

The shake-up clearly gave the club and players a sense of direction and created awareness, which has reaped its rewards as Kotoko have managed to pick up two victories in their last 3 games, whereas the team had managed just one prior to holding crunch talks with Otumfuo.

Kotoko move above Legon Cities into 10th, with two clean sheets and 4 goals to show for their efforts in the last 3 games.


Legon See-things
Not even Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin, with his tactical acumen and vast footballing expertise, envisaged this incoming sucker punch from Kotoko, especially after the Accra-based side had racked up important wins against Hearts of Oak and Berekum Chelsea.

But much to the dismay of Paa Kwesi Fabin, his players failed to turn up at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

In a game where a win would have put Legon Cities on level points with Berekum Chelsea and on the heels of Nsoatreman in 6th place, the team seemed to have never found their groove after going behind to a Steve Mukwala goal, which looked to had unsettled them.

Nonetheless, Fabin and his team still have their sight set on achieving something significant in a rather underwhelming season, with an FA cup semi-final against Bofoakwa Tano on the horizon.

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Story by: Andrews Sefa Bamfo| univers.ug.edu.gh