Asante Kotoko proved too strong a side for Berekum Arsenals on the opening day of the offseason competition the Top Four, thrashing the Gunners 3-0 at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The win sees the Porcupine Warriors climb to the summit of the four-team competition with a better goal difference ahead of Liberty Professionals who managed a 1-0 win over Heart of Lions in the other game.

Ofosu Amoah opened the scoring for the league champions with a minute to end the first half.

Back from the break, Kojo Poku and the premiership’s top scorer, Eric Bekoe, got the other two goals to give the Porcupine Warriors a perfect start to their defence of the title won during the last edition of the competition.

However, Kotoko’s winning start would be tested on Wednesday when they travel to Accra to play Liberty Professionals while the losing sides on day one clash at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

In the other game at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra, a 23rd minute Sam Ayew Yeboah handed Liberty Professionals a 1-0 victory over Heart of Lions.

The attacker headed in a cross from the right flank by defender Emmanuel Osei.

The lucrative annual competition organised by the clubs’ union, Ghalca, is played amongst the four sides at the summit of the standings after every league campaign.