Asante Kotoko made light work of Karela United in their Ghana Premier League week eight fixture at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.
The record Ghana Premier League holders had returned from a horrible CAF Confederation Cup outing where they suffered a 7-0 aggregate loss against Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club in the final qualifying stage.
A vintage performance from coach Karim Zito’s side saw them blow away Karela by 4-2, sending a signal to rivals Hearts of Oak ahead of the big clash next weekend.
Hubert Gyau opened the scoring in the 6th minute Kotoko after he blasted a low cross from Saaka Dauda. Karela United, however, took control of the game with great passing and inter-positional play.
The visitors’ impressive ball possession paid off when a quick move saw Eric Antwi Konadu brought down by Kotoko keeper Mohamed Camara in the penalty area with Bless Ege stepping up to score the equalizer in the 16th minute.
Kotoko, however, doubled the lead when Hubert Gyau’s thunderbolt from outside the box beat Karela goalkeeper Daniel Afadzwu in the 23rd minute. Sustained pressure from the Porcupine Warriors saw Seth Kwadwo head home the third goal and his first for the club in the 35th minute.
The two-time African champions walked into the dressing room with a 3-1 lead.Both clubs maintained the intensity in the second half but Kotoko’s experience kept them above the visitors.
Kotoko made the score line 4-1 after Morifing Donzo laid a pass to Peter Amidu Acquah who put the ball past goalkeeper Daniel Afadzwou in the 62nd minute.
Karela United’s fine play could not be underestimated as well as they kept stringing passes beautifully around. Abdul Rahman Yaya pulled one back for the visitors with a thundering strike following a rebound from Kotoko keeper Camara in the 73rd minute.
The game ended with Kotoko running away with all three points from five matches with three outstanding games to clear. They will now move into 9th on the league table with 11 points.
Friday, October 31
Bechem United 0-0 Nations FC
Saturday, November 1st.
Hohoe United 1-1 Medeama
Sunday, November 2
GoldStars 1-0 Young Apostles
Dreams 2-0 Samartex
Holy Stars 1-2 Hearts of Oak
Berekum Chelsea 1-0 Vision FC
All Blacks 1-1 Heart of Lions
Kotoko 4-2 Karela United
Eleven Wonders 0-1 Aduana
