In their first competitive game following the World Cup break, Asante Kotoko defeated Berekum Chelsea 2-1 in a 2022/23 betPawa Ghana Premier League (GPL) match-day 9 fixture on Wednesday.
The champions were defeated in this fixture at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on their way to the league title last season and so hoped to avenge that while also displacing arch-rivals Hearts of Oak who had moved to second spot after winning at Nsoatreman on Tuesday.
But they found themselves 1-0 down after 28 minutes. Emmanuel Sarpong put the visiting Berekum Chelsea in front with a strike from just outside the box after benefiting from a poor clearance by Kotoko centre-back Andrews Appau.
What a classic goal from Emmanuel Sarpong@AsanteKotoko_SC 0-1 @BerekumChelseaF
Showing live on ST Adepa Ch. 247 & StarTimes ON App 📲https://t.co/Q4QtBnpiZS#BPL #StarTimes #BPLwk9 #BringBackTheLove #Ghana #GPLonStarTimes #betPawaGPLw9 #Bchelsea #fabulous pic.twitter.com/lJsvvdjLzw
— StarTimes Ghana (@startimesghana) December 21, 2022
Coach Seydou Zerbo responded to finding his side behind 9 minutes later by introducing playmaker Serge Eric Zeze for Appau.
And the tactical change proved a masterstroke as Kotoko surged back into the game, seizing the midfield.
Then Zeze, the Ivorian import levelled the scores right on the 45th-minute mark with a simple touch to a Steven Mukwala pass inside the box.
Zeze with the equalizer for #fabulous@AsanteKotoko_SC 1-1 @BerekumChelseaF
Showing live on ST Adepa Ch. 247 & StarTimes ON App 📲https://t.co/Q4QtBn7I8k#BPL #StarTimes #BPLwk9 #BringBackTheLove #Ghana #GPLonStarTimes #betPawaGPLw9 #Bchelsea #fabulous pic.twitter.com/8KTJLzOrkX— StarTimes Ghana (@startimesghana) December 21, 2022
The teams headed in at the break with the score at 1-1, with both sides in search of a go-ahead goal and Kotoko – who continued to look the better side – found it almost midway into the second half.
Mukwala scored to make it 2-1 after 66 minutes, connecting a free-kick from Enoch Morrison with a header that left goalkeeper Gregory Obeng Sekyere no chance in goal.
Steven Mukwala with the comeback goal @AsanteKotoko_SC 2-1 @BerekumChelseaF
Showing live on ST Adepa Ch. 247 & StarTimes ON App 📲https://t.co/Q4QtBnpiZS#BPL #StarTimes #BPLwk9 #BringBackTheLove #Ghana #GPLonStarTimes #betPawaGPLw9 #Bchelsea #fabulous pic.twitter.com/zmCYlitqto— StarTimes Ghana (@startimesghana) December 21, 2022
It could have been an even bigger score for Kotoko, but midfielder Morrison saw his shot cannon back off the crossbar. Also, in the 88th minute, Mukwala managed to put the ball into the back of the net after delicate teamwork. However, the offside flag was raised for referee George Vormawor to rule the goal out.
The Porcupine Warriors surged on for the deserved win and now move into second place on 17 points. As of 9 games, Aduana lead the league with two more points. Berekum Chelsea sit 10th with 12 points.
Asante Kotoko’s Steven Mukwala picked up the man-of-the-match award.
