Two quick-fire goals in the second half pushed AshantiGold into a deserved win over rivals Asante Kotoko on matchday five of the 2017/18 Ghana Premier League.
The Ashanti derby was goalless after an eventful first half at Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi on Sunday.
Kotoko’s hopes of handing the Miners their first defeat this season however came crashing down as Samed Ibrahim and Shafiu Mumuni produced two goals inside two second half minutes to suddenly turn the match on its head.
Kotoko could have taken the lead in the 70th minute after a miscommunication between Samed Ibrahim and George Owu saw Sarfo-Gyamfi’s shot bounce off the body of the goalie. The ball was however trapped by Mawuli Osei who, with an empty net, agonizingly skied an attempted lob from inside the box.
Centre-back Samed Ibrahim however made amends for his earlier mistake by opening the scoring in the 74th minute – he rose high at far post and perfectly met an Appiah McCarthy corner kick with a powerful header.
Two minutes later, Ivorian international Richard Dali Ella Djodi secured possession in midfield, he whisked past Kotoko’s Jackson Owusu, delightfully created space with a step-over past Wahab Adams before setting up a waiting Shaifu Mumuni who whipped a low grounder past Felix Annan. 2-0 to the Miners.
Centre-back Richard Osei Agyemang who had his head heavily wrapped with a bandage after an injury early in the first half, was adjudged NASCO man-of-the-match.
Line-ups:
AshantiGold XI:
George Owu – Tijani Joshua ©, Eric Boabeng, Richard Osei Agyemang, Samed Ibrahim – Joseph Gordon/66’ Richard Dali Ella Djodi, James Akaminko, Appiah McCarthy, Amos Addai/90’ Frimpong Sarkodie, Godfred Asiamah/53’ Douglas Amaning, Shafiu Mumuni
Unused subs: Robert Dabuo, Daniel Ocloo-Mensah, Habib Mohammed
Asante Kotoko XI:
Felix Annan © – Augustine Sefah, Daniel Darkwa/45’ Akwasi Nti, Awudu Nafiu, Wahab Adams – Seth Opare/50’ Obed Owusu, Jackson Owusu, Jordan Opoku, Emmanuel Gyamfi/87’ Prince Acquah, Frank Sarfo-Gyamfi, Mawuli Osei
Unused subs: Ibrahim Danlad, Emmanuel Owusu , Baba Mahama, Douglas Owusu Ansah
