GPL: Asante Kotoko thrash Gold Stars, Aduana beat Hearts of Oak
Asante Kotoko beat Bibiani Gold Stars 5-0 to maintain their place at the top of the table after failing to score in midweek against Bechem United.
The Porcupine Warriors had to dig deep to get back to winning ways at their favourite grounds in Kumasi – and indeed did not disappoint as they scored twice within 3 minutes through Cameroonian Mfegue Omgba.
Mfegue broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when he tapped the ball into the net after Gold Stars goalkeeper Ernest Kusi fluffed a cross before lifting a lovely ball over the goalkeeper after being teed up by Mbella Etouga for the second goal.
The Porcupine Warriors went into the break with a 2-0 advantage – much to the delight of the roaring fans at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Back from recess, Augustine Agyapong added to the tally as he scored his first goal for the Reds with a long-range effort which deflected into the net in the 59th minute.
Franck Mbella got his name on the score sheet recording his 14th goal of the season from the penalty spot before Samuel Boateng wrapped things up four minutes from time.
The win gives Asante Kotoko an eight point lead against second placed Aduana FC with 14 games to end the season.
In Dormaa, Aduana FC recorded yet another win against Champions Accra Hearts of Oak and their first win over Hearts of Oak under Coach Samuel Boad at the Nana Agyeman Badu Park.
Boadu’s side had not lost in their previous two meetings against Aduana FC and came into the clash high on confidence after beating WAFA in midweek.
Sam Adams only goal proved the winner as he received a through pass in a good position before calmly smashing home the match winner beating substitute goalkeeper Richmond Ayi with a powerful low effort.
Ayi came on for Richard Attah who was stretched off over what appeared to be a hamstring injury but Hearts have confirmed the shot stopper is in good condition now.
At the Nduom stadium, Elmina Sharks were beaten 3-2 by Bechem United in a 5 goal thriller.
Bechem United shot into the lead on the 19th minute through Emmanuel Annor as he was put through by Augustine Okrah.
Augustine Okrah later turned the scorer as he smashed home from close range inside 25 minutes as he was assisted by Francis Twene.
Read: GPL: The title race is not over – Samuel Boadu insists
But the hosts managed to reduce the deficit before the break when Tahir A. Mensah scored in the 36th minute.
Bechem United defender Samuel Osei Kuffour scored an own goal to give the hosts hope of a comeback but Emmanuel Owusu gave the Hunters a last gasp winner as they won 3-2 at the Nduom Sports Complex at Elmina.
Berekum Chelsea beat Karela United 1-0 on Match Day 20 of the Ghana Premier League at the Golden City Park on Saturday.
The win takes their unbeaten run to 10 games – with their last defeat coming in a 2-0 loss against Hearts of Oak on December 29, 2021 at the Cape Coast stadium.
Substitute Emmanuel Sarpong scored the only goal of the match in the 50th minute as he broke the deadlock after a barren first half.
Karela United dominated possession in the opening minutes but failed to take their chances as Richard Berko’s free header 18th minute went wide.
Jackson Owusu nearly gave his team the lead afterwards but the Captain could not hit the target as the visitors had a big let off.
Back from recess, Berekum Chelsea scored just five minutes after the break through substitute Emmanuel Sarpong.
Lassina Fane missed a golden opportunity to put the game to bed but the Guinean fluffed the chance in the 79th minute.
Berekum Chelsea held on to secure all three points as they moved to 29 points after 20 Premier League matches.
Ahmed Toure’s 65th-minute goal was enough to secure three points for Medeama in their home game against 17th placed side, Eleven Wonders.
In Sogakope, WAFA returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win against Real Tamale United at the WAFA arena as striker Justus Torsutsey was on hand to finish a pass from Emmanuel Agyemang to score the only goal of the match.
Great Olympics pip City rivals Legon Cities FC 1-0 to keep their title aspirations on track as Samuel Abbey-Ashie Quaye’s first half goal was all they need to register their 9th win of the season.
In Accra again, super sub Fawzan Alhassan Dandawa scored the decisive goal as Accra Lions pip Dreams FC 1-0 at the Accra Sports stadium.
Earlier on Friday – AshantiGold picked their first win in the second round of the League as they beat King Faisal 2-0 at the Len Clay stadium.
The Miners scored in either half through Kamaradini Mamudu and Isaac Opoku Agyemang.
Asante Kotoko lead the pile with 44 points, followed by Aduana who have 36 points, with Great Olympics in third with 35.
The bottom three is unchanged with WAFA, Eleven Wonders and Elmina Sharks occupying the 16th, 17th and 18th spots on the league table.