Ghana Premier League: Kotoko return to winning ways

Asante Kotoko bounced back strongly from last Sunday’s defeat to Accra Hearts of Oak with a convincing 2-0 win over struggling Young Apostles at the Wenchi Sports Stadium.

The Porcupine Warriors made a bright start and took the lead as early as the fifth minute when Johnson Oppong rose high to redirect a cross from Albert Amoah into the net.

Kotoko doubled their advantage 11 minutes later, with skipper Samba O’Neil making it 2-0 after his header deflected off a retreating Young Apostles defender and into the goal.

Young Apostles threat

The hosts showed occasional flashes of threat but struggled to convert their chances. In the 14th minute, Fuseini Zackaria produced a timely intervention to avert danger after a swift Young Apostle attack.

He nearly turned villain later when he conceded a free kick in a dangerous area in the 21st minute, but the host failed to capitalise.

Young Apostles continued with a spirited spell in the 26th minute, forcing goalkeeper Mohammed Camara into a fine save, though the Kotoko shot-stopper picked up an injury in the process.

Kotoko nearly added a third before halftime, but Amoah’s goal-bound strike was heroically cleared off the line by the home defence.

After the break, Coach Prince Yaw Owusu introduced Peter Amidu for Oppong as Kotoko maintained their attacking momentum.

The hosts earned a free kick from a promising position in the 52nd minute after Patrick Asiedu committed a foul, but they once again failed to make it count.

Kotoko continued to threaten, with Amoah setting up Patrick Gyau inside the box, only for the latter to fire over the crossbar.

Young Apostles pushed late in the game in search of a consolation goal, but Camara stood tall, producing another impressive save in the 69th minute to preserve Kotoko’s clean sheet.