League leaders Asante Kotoko have yet again stumbled to defeat against 10-man Berekum Chelsea in their premier league match week 30 match at the Baba Yara sports stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Porcupine Warriors failed to once again to extend their lead on the top of the league table after losing 1-0 to Chelsea at home. Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Aduana at the Baba Yara sports stadium. Fit-again Ganiyu replaced suspended Mubarik, who is out due to accumulated cards while Mudasiru Salifu is took the place of Mohammed Sherif who is injured.
Asante Kotoko took off to a promising start as they came close to breaking the deadlock in as early as the first minute of the game, when Cameroonian international George Mfegue effected a first-time cross to his fellow countryman Etouga hoping for the opener, but his effort was cleared to safety.
Four minutes later, Asante Kotoko right back Christopher Nettey surged forward and located Mfegue with a nice pass who also attempted a lobbed pass but Henry Ainsu was quick to head the ball away from danger.
On the 16th minute, Berekum Chelsea won a free kick and skipper Jackson Owusu delivers but his effort went straight into the arms of Kotoko’s goalkeeper, Ibrahim Danlad. The league and Asante Kotoko’s leading scorer Frank Mbella Etouga got the chance to open the score in the 30th minute of play but had his shot blocked. The first 45 minutes eventually ended with no goal to either side.
In the second half, the home side really came in guns blazing as they hunted for the opener, but the excellence of Berekum Chelsea goalkeeper Obeng Sekyere Gregory always kept them at bay.
Berekum Chelsea were reduced to ten men on the 67th minute after Kofi Osei Owusu was shown the red card for allegedly punching Asante Kotoko defender Christopher Nettey in the face. The numerical advantage gave Asante Kotoko the urge to dominate the game getting to the latter stages, but failed to find the back of the net.
Kelvin Obeng, who came off the bench for Chelsea finally broke the deadlock on the 81st minute of the game to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, a scoreline which remained till the last whistle.
Asante Kotoko still lead the league log now with 56 points from 29 matches, having a game in hand with Ashanti Gold SC. Medeama are second on the log with 50 points, 6 points behind Asante Kotoko, while Hearts of Oak sit 4th on the log with 47 points with a game in hand away against Eleven Wonders on Wednesday.
