2019/20 GPL: Kotoko leave it late to return to winning ways [+VIDEO]
The record league champions finally won in an empty Baba Yara Stadium.
Asante Kotoko cleared their first of five matches behind closed doors with a 2-0 victory over Ebusua Dwarfs in a 2019/20 Ghana Premier League match-day five encounter in Kumasi Sunday.
The Porcupines are serving suspension over fans’ riots during a match-day 3 home defeat to Berekum Chelsea.
Strikes from Mathew Anim Cudjoe and Richard Arthur in the late minutes ensured Kotoko walked over a defensively strong Dwarfs after back-to-back defeats in the league.
The Crabs remain winless in the Ghana Premier League despite appointing Ernest Thompson to replace coach Robert Assibu who resigned after a 2-1 home loss to Liberty Professionals during the week.
Kotoko kicked-off the game in bright spirits, displaying quick positional play in attack but Naby Keita failed to utilize his opportunity in the 11th minute.
The Porcupines continued pressing for the lead and were awarded a penalty kick after Christopher Nettey was impeded on the 15th minute but Songne Yacouba failed to convert. The Burkinabe attacker has still not recorded a goal this season.
Dwarfs then held back Kotoko’s attacks till half time.
After the break, Maxwell Konadu made two substitutions; Augustine Okrah for Emmanuel Gyamfi with Richard Arthur also replacing Yacouba.
Kotoko improved in their attacking exploits but had to deal with a better Dwarfs play for ten minutes that resulted in goalkeeper Kwame Baah making two fine saves.
On 78 minutes, teen sensation Matthew Cudjoe was introduced for Martin Antwi. And the attacker’s first five minutes on the pitch provided Kotoko’s lead after he fed off a Justice Blay header which stopped the ball from going out for a goal kick.
Now in control of the game, Kotoko exerted more force in search of a second goal. They did not toil for long as Richard Arthur reacted perfectly to Naby Keita’s 86th-minute effort which was rebounded by Dwarfs goalkeeper Issa Razak. 2-0 Kotoko!
⛈🎥 ʃ WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Asante Kotoko 2-0 Ebusua Dwarfs#GPLwk5Video Courtesy: StarTimes Ghana
Posted by Footy-Ghana.com on Sunday, January 19, 2020
A good result for a team without a win in their last two matches and just ahead of a huge battle with eternal rivals Hearts of Oak in Accra on January 26.
For Dwarfs, it keeps getting worse! There may be life for them in their next clash against Dreams FC at Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
