Asante Kotoko maintained their perfect start to the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League (GPL) with a 2-0 victory over Techiman Eleven Wonders Saturday night, making it four straight wins to lead the standings.
New signings Samuel Boateng and Isaac Oppong continued their impressive start to the topflight from the third-tier by scoring in either half of the game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
It was an evening where the visitors came out on the front foot by seizing the early initiative, especially in the opening 15 minutes.
Right-back Isaac Kwain offered the first warning by testing Razak Abalora with a free-kick from a dangerous position in the second minute while Ganiu Abass saw his half volley from inside the box well dealt with by the goalkeeper in the 8th minute.
Kotoko figured out solutions to their early problems and began to control the game after tactical decisions which saw Fabio Gama shifting from the left flank to play in his favourite number 10 role.
Then, in the 28th minute, the opening goal arrived.
Wonders defender Joseph Adu Dwomoh tried to play the ball out with a pass to Frank Amankwah after a big boot by Christopher Nettey from the right side of the centre.
But Salifu Mudasiru reacted quickly to snatch possession and swiftly laid a pass into the path of striker Samuel Boateng who clinically fired low with his left foot to the far left of goalkeeper Abdulai Ibrahim. A brilliant finish for 1-0.
It could have been 2-0 five minutes later but Richmond Lamptey saw his goal-bound strike from inside the box rather go into the body of teammate Boateng.
Lamptey’s game ended just before halftime break after picking what looked like a hamstring injury.
Wonders nearly levelled in first-half stoppage time but were denied by the goal post when goalkeeper Abalora failed to touch the ball after stepping out to stop a cross inside his box.
Cameroonian Georges Mfegue came on for Lamptey at the start of the second half and the striker proved a handful for the Wonders backline as the Porcupine Warriors searched for the all-important second goal.
And teen sensation, Isaac Oppong, who looked like having a quiet game all evening, provided it in the 77th minute.
The winger was put through by a brilliant pass from Fabio Gama down the flanks. Swiftly darting in front of centre-back Yaw Acheampong, Oppong picked his spot and delivered a sumptuous finish to make it 2-0.
Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum’s men held on to claim a third straight clean-sheet win.
The result means Asante Kotoko firm their grip on top spot as the only team with a 100% record while Eleven Wonders’ second loss of the season leaves them with just two points from four games.
Isaac Oppong was crowned NASCO man-of-the-match.
