GhanaFA

Kotoko beats Legon Cities to go top of league table

4 years ago
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Kumasi Asante Kotoko jumped onto the summit of the 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League with  a 3-1 away win over Legon Cities FC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday evening.

The Porcupine Warriors had to come back from a goal down to make sure Maxwell Konadu's side picked all three points at stake, the second in as many games.

On an electrifying night of football that saw Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale thrill the fans, it was the home side, Legon Cities FC who drew first blood in the 10th minute when Greek international Panayotis Papadopoulos met a cross from the left side of attack and planted it pass goalkeeper Felix Annan in post for Kotoko.

The host went in search of the second goal but was kept at bay by the water-tight backline of Isaac Paintsil and Mohammed Suleman who were always first to the ball in the final third of their half.

With Kotoko getting men behind the ball, it was just a matter of time for them to put the smile back on the faces of their teeming fans, and on the 34th minute, Augustine Okrah rewarded the crowd for their continuous cheering.

He was put through by Songne Yacouba to lob the ball over Cities goalie, Fatau Dauda for the equaliser.

Kotoko's work rate increased in the second stanza and six minutes after the break speedster  Emmanuel Gyamfi blasted home from close range to put the visitors ahead.

Yacouba who was the tormentor-in-chief all night turned provider for Gyamfi in the 59th minute as his cross from the right flank met the head of the Kotoko winger who had the easiest of the task to head home from close range.

A minute before that goal, Cities Paintsil had pulled a great reflex save from Annan who stretched to his elastic limit to parry a powerful free-kick from the edge of the box.

Man of the match Yacouba could have registered his name on the score sheet but goalkeeper Dauda was quick to deal with his goal-bound drive in the 60th minute.

The Royals fought to redeem the deficit but failed to make it count when it mattered most.

The victory sees Kotoko jump onto the league log with maximum points from two games while the Royals maintain their one point from their open day draw with Liberty Professionals