Asante Kotoko wasted no time making their intentions clear as they secured a 1-0 victory over Karela United in their Matchweek 5 Ghana Premier League fixture at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The Porcupine Warriors bounced back from their Matchweek 4 setback against Aduana FC with a hard-fought victory that saw them claim all three points.
Kotoko took the lead as early as the fifth minute when Emmanuel Sanja delivered a precise low cross into the box, allowing Isaac Opoku Agyemang to brilliantly tap the ball home and give the home side an early advantage.
The Porcupine Warriors dominated proceedings for much of the first half and created several opportunities to extend their lead. However, Karela United remained resilient after conceding and managed to keep the deficit to a single goal at the break.
After the restart, Karela United came out with greater purpose, creating a couple of decent chances and putting the home side under sustained pressure. Despite their efforts, they struggled to find the finishing touch needed to level the score.
Kotoko also had opportunities of their own, with Walid Fuseini, Hubert Gyau and Emmanuel Mamah coming close to adding to the hosts’ advantage. However, the Porcupine Warriors failed to convert their chances.
Kotoko were made to work for the victory in the latter stages of the game as Karela United continued to threaten. The home side, however, held firm to their 1-0 advantage from the first half to secure all three points.
The victory puts Asante Kotoko back on the winning track and takes their points tally to eight after five matches in the Ghana Premier League.
By: Emmanuel Opoku – Journalist