2019/20 GPL: Kotoko sink Hearts with stoppage time penalty [+VIDEO]

It was Asante Kotoko’s moment once again when the two biggest Ghanaian sides faced off at the Accra Sports Stadium on match-day six of the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League.

The Porcupine Warriors secured a 2-1 victory over eternal rivals Hearts of Oak to make it two straight wins after losing consecutively, their third and fourth games of the season.

Naby Keita slotted home a crucial 90th-minute penalty to grant Kotoko the win and bragging rights after Joseph Esso had cancelled Justice Blay’s early lead.

For Hearts, the painful loss is their third defeat in six games this season.

90+4: GAME OVER (#AKSC 2-1 Hearts)

Hearts did all the pre-match talk but we were the loudest on the pitch and now they go back with their heads down as we head back to base with too much to be proud of…FAAABULOUS!#AKSC #HERKOT

— Asante Kotoko SC (@AsanteKotoko_SC) January 26, 2020

TEAM NEWS

Habib Mohammed and Naby Keita made their first starts for Kotoko and Daniel Afriyie for the Rainbow Boys as well.

Asante Kotoko: Baah (GK),  Nettey, Yeboah, Wahab, Habib, Blay, Salifu, Frimpong, Gyamfi (C),  Okrah, Keita.

Subs: Annan (GK), Ameyaw, Ibrahim, Mensah, Arthur, Cudjoe, Dacosta

Hearts of Oak: Atta(GK), Mohammed(C), Ovouka, Alhassan, Addo, Nettey, Esso, Afutu, Afriyie, Ansah, Kordzi.

Subs: Ayi, Bonney, Dankyi, Agyare, Nurudeen, Arthur, Manaf.

 

FIRST HALF

The Phobians began the clash in high confidence and seemed like the side to get the lead in the first half but their final delivery was disappointing.

Emmanuel Nettey and Joseph Esso missed from dangerous goal-scoring positions.

In Kotoko’s moment to get the needed lead, Justice Blay answered. The defensive midfielder connected to Augustine Okrah’s free-kick with a header on the 11th minute.

The feeling when you put your side in the front seat #SuperClash#BringBackTheLove #GPLwk6 pic.twitter.com/qEel5XQpFf

— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) January 26, 2020

Asante Kotoko were forced to make an early substitution because of Salifu Mudasiru’s injury. The central midfielder was replaced by Collins Ameyaw.

With the first half drawing to closure, The Phobians nearly levelled after goalkeeper Kwame Baah failed to hold on to a strong free-kick strike but recovered in time to stop the opportunity.

Hearts met a resolute Kotoko midfield that did enough to protect the backline from pressure till half time.

SECOND  HALF

After the break, it was Hearts who began well. This time, in search of the equalizer. The Phobians controlled the early stages of the second half and their opponents looked shaky. The fidgeting in Kotoko’s defence that resulted in serious tackles earned the home side a corner kick on the 64th minute.

The kick, earlier headed by Daniel Afriyie found an unmarked Esso who calmly slotted to draw parity for the Phobians.

Hearts continued to make attacking advances and could have scored again but their poor passes up front cost them.

With the fixture in its ending stages, Maxwell Konadu’s two changes, Richard Arthur for injured Kwame Adom Frimpong and Matthew Anim Cudjoe for Augustine Okrah, combined to restore Kotoko back in the lead but Hearts goalkeeper Richard Attah brilliantly saved Arthur’s powerful header.

Just on the 90th minute, a shot from Anim Cudjoe during an 18-yard box tussle struck the arm of Hearts centre-back Mohammed Alhassan.

And referee Emmanuel Eshun did not hesitate to point to the spot for a penalty.

Naby Keita, elected to give the Porcupines the win, stepped up. The Guinean powerfully struck through the middle of Attah’s goal and that was enough to win the game.

After such scintillating performance in the encounter, Kotoko midfielder Justice Blay was awarded the NASCO man-of-the-match.

Congratulations to Justice Blay of @AsanteKotoko_SC for winning the @nascoghana MOTM award 🥇 #BringBackTheLove #SuperClash #GPLwk6 pic.twitter.com/PzFSz2N7pu

— Ghana Premier League (@GhanaLeague) January 26, 2020

Via the victory, Asante Kotoko have now moved to fourth on the league log with 12 points. Hearts lie 12th with 7 points.

 

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