Asante Kotoko suffered a 3-1 defeat against Karela United at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park on matchday 11 of the Ghana Premier League.
Goals from Imoro Ibrahim, Abdul Ganiyu Ismail and Maxwell Baako downed the Fabulous boys to their second loss in four days after suffering a 1-0 upset from Hearts of Oak on Sunday.
Delight for Sogne Yacouba; the attacker got his first goal in the Ghana Premier League, but the look on the Burkinabe import’s face tells the story at the Kotoko dressing room. Securing no point out of two encounters is certainly the last thing in the mind of gaffer Paa Kwesi Fabin and his charges.
The duel began with Karela revealing their intentions to claim a victor and the surge finally paid off as left back Imoro unleashed a powerful strike which goalie Felix Annan failed to clear. 1-0!
The Porcupines responded in a stellar fashion as Yacouba drew parity with some few minutes to half time. The Kumasi based side, at this point, settled to end the first half in a stalemate. But the story changed as Ganiyu got the second goal of the match for the Passioners with a last minute penalty kick.
The second half resumed with the Nzema based club threatening to extend their lead with few efforts from their lead marksman Donald Wellington but the Reds, despite searching for an equalizer, were solid at the back.
Still dominating proceedings, winger Baako then finished off their visitors with an exemplary curler; the former Wa All Stars man getting almost the whole CAM Park off their feet with his strike. 3-1, done and dusted for the away side.
The triumph means Karela has recorded 18 points from 11 fixtures. They lie 3rd on the league log while Kotoko, on the other hand, are now 10th with 14 points. Their title pursuit looks arduous as current leaders Ashantigold has 20 points with an outstanding game in hand.
Line-ups:
Karela United XI: Nii Kalala – Isaac Kwain, Imoro Ibrahim, Ampem da Costa, Ismail Ganiyu Abdul – Emmanuel Keyakeh, Saddique Alhassan, Maxwell Baako, Vincent Bekoe – Diwisie Taylor, Donald Wellington
Subs: Micheal Sai (GK), Kwadwo Addae, Godfred Agyemang, Kofi Nyamekye, Dominic Eshun, William Opoku, Noel Amo Kpolley.
Asante Kotoko XI: Felix Annan – Augustine Sefah, Daniel Darkwah, Awudu Nafiu, Emmanuel Owusu – Jackson Owusu, Frederick Boateng, Jordan Opoku, Kwame Boahene – Yacouba Songne, Sadick Adams.
Subs: Emmanuel Osei Kwame(GK), Amos Frimpong, Akwasi Nti, Mawuli Osei, Douglas Owusu Ansah, Obed Owusu.
