Asante Kotoko extended their impressive run in the Ghana Premier League with a dominant 2-0 triumph over Bibiani Gold Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium on Friday night.
The victory, Kotoko’s fourth in a row, propelled them to second place on the league table, level on points with Gold Stars but just three points behind the leaders.
Justice Blay put the Porcupine Warriors ahead in the 18th minute, calmly converting a penalty after Samba’s header was blocked by a Gold Stars defender’s hand. Kotoko continued to control the game, limiting the visitors’ offensive opportunities while creating numerous chances.
Gold Stars’ hopes of a comeback were dealt a severe blow in the 36th minute when Bright Boakye Kyereh received a red card for a reckless tackle on Amidu, leaving his team with 10 men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Gold Stars defended resolutely until the 74th minute, when Kwame Opoku sealed the win with a superb finish. Making his first start since returning to Kotoko, Opoku demonstrated his quality with a precise strike that gave the goalkeeper no chance. Earlier, he came close to scoring with an audacious mid-air header just before halftime.
Kotoko dominated the match with 51% possession, 14 goal attempts, and seven shots on target compared to Gold Stars’ nine attempts and two on target. The hosts also earned seven corners, while the visitors managed just one.
The result underscores Kotoko’s resurgence in the league as they edge closer to the summit. With Opoku finding form and the team performing cohesively, the Porcupine Warriors are emerging as strong contenders in the title race.
