League leaders Asante Kotoko defeated their rivals Accra Hearts of Oak 1-0 on matchday 24 of the Ghana Premier League at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium adium.
Frank Etouga Mbella scored the only goal of the match in the 16th minute to give the Porcupine Warriors three points on the league table to extend the lead.
Hearts player, Robert Addo Sowah was replaced by Caleb Amankwah for picking up an early injury at the early stages.
Kotoko started well in the first half of the game – threatened the Rainbow’s defence before getting the penalty which was coolly converted by Frank Etouga Mbella after Fabio Gama was fouled in the 15th minute.
Back from recess Maxwell Agyemang went down in pain and was replaced by Mudasiru at the 47th minute.
Kotoko maintained their splendid form to dominate proceedings.
Brazilian midfielder got some great chances to double the lead for Kotoko but he squandered the opportunities. Gama had a great performance against the Phobians. He was substituted for Emmanuel Keyekeh at the 82nd to play in the last 8th minutes plus the additional time.
Daniel Afriyie Barnie who scored against the Porcupines in the President’s Cup could not stand to guide Phobia to share the spoils.
Patrick Razak, the nightmare of the Porcupines later came in for Isaac Mensah but he was marked boot-for-boot by the defenders of the hosts.
Also, the ex-Porcupine player, Samuel Inkoom came off the bench during the 63rd for Gladson Awako to play his debut game for Hearts against his former side.
Asante Kotoko battled out to win their first match against their rivals after three games and the first time beating Samuel Boadu since taking over as the coach of the title holders.
Asante Kotoko has now picked 51 points on the league table after this win.
Hearts of Oak have slipped from the top four to the sixth position with 36 points.
