Asante Kotoko moved to the summit of Ghana Premier League table after completing a 1-0 home victory over in-seasons tough side Karela United at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Reds’ mission, as they have set for themselves, to win the Ghana Premier League title this season in bid to secure African football was boosted with last week’s 4-1 win over Vision FC in Kumasi.
That victory gave Kotoko a condition of four victories and a draw in the last five that moved them to third place on the log.
Welcoming Karela United to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium a week after was a moment that awaited the teeming home fans to see their club, with a victory, climb to the summit of the league table, though that was not an automatic condition.
As much improved as Kotoko were against Vision, in some aspect of the game especially after creating many goal-scoring opportunities, they way that they passed, coordinated and flowed were not all that smoother.
There was a mix today, in a game against Karela United that they were flawless in passing and interconnectedness, they rarely entered the opposing box with fashionable moves. And it was evident that despite the drawn good name from their sweet plays, they won the game from the spot.
The fans both at the stadium and behind the tv would be happy and expected a cricket score line but Karela’s defensive setup may or not be a confounding variable. It is wondered whether Prosper Nartey Ogum thought his side’s fluency would automatically bring in the goals and in reality failed to map a strategy to breakdown Karela’s defense to get the needed goals in accordance with the team’s play today.
But there are still hopes to count on especially looking at how Kotoko got the match winner from a typical team move where Peter Amidu Acquah drove in from the left, fed, whom Baba Yahaya was the first to touch the ball before a Karela’s defender appeared late in a challenge that brought Kotoko’s attacking midfielder down in the box for a penalty.
Captain Justice Blay, who solidified the midfield along with Andrews Ntim, stepped forward and struck the right top corner but Abdul Ganiu Mohammed nearly saved the ball which finally entered the net.
Kotoko continued to push for the second but failed to achieve the ambition. The introduction of Sampson Eduku and Kyei Dwamena reverted Kotoko from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 but nothing much changed in play and the results.
kwame Poku who had been the focal point of nearly all Kotoko’s attacks was heavily policed by Karela but still managed to penetrate the opposing defense. The center forward run through, his hallmark move, for a lofted pass from Andrews Ntim and perfectly brought the ball down from the top and fired at goal in a jerky fashion but Abdul Ganiu Mohammed was calculative to deny the striker.
Kotoko lead the table with 34 points after initial leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, with 33 points, lost at Legon Cities whiles second placed Nations Football Club lost 1-0 at Bechem United.
