A late goal from Fabio Gama was enough as Asante Kotoko defeated Karela United 2-1 to leapfrog rivals Hearts of Oak.
The Porcupines went into matchday 30 on level points with Hearts of Oak but their latest victory sees them move three points above the Phobians, albeit temporarily.
Kotoko made a good start to the game and upped the ante and began creating a couple of chances as the match wore on.
Mariano Barreto’s side got their reward in the 21st-minute when Fabio Gama produced one of his trademark through passes as he found Gyamfi on the edge of the Karela box. The winger ran into the box with his composure intact despite being chased by three opponents and finished it off with a cool low strike past goalkeeper Richard Baidoo.
A ding dong affair ensued between Kotoko and Karela for the remainder of the first half but failed to produce any other goal.
After recess, the visitors came in strong to try and salvage at least a point from the match. Karela found the back of the net in the 58th-minute through Richard Berko.
The goal was initially disallowed by the assistant referee. Thecentre referee then checked with the assistant and overruled the decision in favor of the visitors to level up.
Ten minutes later, a penalty was awarded to Kotoko after Evans Adomako was impeded by the Karela goalkeeper after going first to a loose ball.
Fabio Gama then elected himself for the kick and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Kotoko the maximum points.
Though the Porcupines had to do a lot of defending in the second half, they take delight from the 2-1 win which has now sent them top of the Ghana Premier League table with 56 points ahead of Hearts of Oak who play Legon Cities on Thursday.
