2023/24 Ghana Premier League leaders Nsoatreman FC continued their run at home by overcoming Asante Kotoko with 1-0 victory on match week 8.
Stephen Diyou’s goal in the first half ensured the hosts maintain their resilience and consistency at the Nana Konamansah Park.
At home, the Nsoatre lads have now bagged four wins from four, while Kotoko’s away form has been unimpressive.
Two defeats and a draw has shadowed their one win against Accra Lions on match-day five.
Lineups
Head coach for Nsoatreman, Maxwell Konadu, named the ever-present duo Manaf Umar and Stephen Diyou for the game.
📋✍️|| TEAM NEWS
This how @Konadu4Maxwell line's up his men for today's encounter against @AsanteKotoko_SC .@NHIS_Ghana @MybetAfrica pic.twitter.com/jWl4OHt9Vo— NSOATREMAN FC (@Nsoatreman_FC) November 2, 2023
Kotoko’s lineup had Peter Acquah keeping his spot in attack after scoring against Bechem United and Kalo Ouattara leading the attack with Steven Mukwala.
📝 Team News
➡️ 16 -year- old Richmond Opoku makes his first start of the season, taking the place of Richmond Lamptey who is out with a minor hamstring problem.
➡️ Kyei returns to the starting XI for Agyapong.
Ntim plays at right back in the absence of Fuseini & Agyapong pic.twitter.com/PvJkx2rBVK
— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) November 2, 2023
From kickoff, both sides looked to impose themselves and lots of physical duels were evident as the game progressed.
Two yellow cards in the first half were shown to Kotoko players Henry Ansu and Nicholas Osei Bonsu.
Nsoatreman looked to create from the flanks and they battering Kotoko’s goal area with lots of crosses.
Phillip Ofori could have opened the scoring in the 33rd minute but his header struck the bar and Danlad Ibrahim recovered the ball for the visitors.
As a result of the wing football, Nsoatreman got ahead in the 40th minute when Diyou tapped in Manaf Umar’s strike after a cross from Emmanuel Kotei.
As the game neared half time, Henry Ansu received a second yellow card, reducing Kotoko’s strength and altering their game plan in the second half.
And it manifested poorly for the Porcupines. One man down, struggling to move out of their area as Nsoatreman dominated most parts of the second half.
Ibrahim Danlad was called to the rescue point on three occasions and he delivered.
In attack, Kalo Ouattara tried his trademark headers, nothing changed.
In the closing stages, the forward was gifted a good move from Serge Eric Zeze but the hosts were solid as a rock and closed the space.
Full Time at Nsoatre
Nsoatreman 1-0 #AKSC pic.twitter.com/k0aygSlS1i
— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) November 2, 2023
Kotoko will return to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for Dreams FC on match week 10.
On the other hand, Nsoatreman play Great Olympics in Accra in hopes of keeping themselves at the top.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Nsoatreman FC 1-0 Kumasi Asante Kotoko | Highlights | betPawa Premier Leaguehttps://t.co/qBf5C0Cq9y
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— StarTimes Ghana (@startimesghana) November 2, 2023
