Naby Keita fired a last-gasp winner as Asante Kotoko climbed to fourth in the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League (GPL) with a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened city rivals King Faisal Wednesday afternoon.
The Guinea import started the match-day 15 outstanding fixture from the bench for the Porcupine Warriors who – in a bid to respond well to their last defeat – effected five changes to the line-up against Elmina Sharks.
There were starts for goalkeeper Kwame Baah, Yussif Mubarik, Patrick Asmah, Habib Mohammed and Augustine Okrah.
But Habib and Okrah were yanked off in a tactical change during the first half – a decision the former found frustrating and resorted to throwing touchline tantrums.
Faisal created the better chances in a scrappy opening 45 minutes but Kotoko’s new inclusions improved the team’s second half game. Yet, neither side found an opening.
The Kumasi derby in Techiman was petering out into a stalemate when Keita – who had come on for Patrick Asmah in the 67th minute – blasted low an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Kaisan Yuisu right on the 90th minute.
The 1-0 victory takes Asante Kotoko to 27 points from 16 matches behind leaders Karela United, Great Olympics and Hearts of Oak, all of whom have played a game more. Kotoko have a game in hand – at home to Bechem United later in April – on the Top3.
The last gasp defeat looks tough on Faisal who would feel they deserved at least a point from the game at the Ohene Ameyaw Park. King Faisal remain in the relegation zone – at 16th – with 17 points from 17 games.
