Kotoko maintains lead after beating Medeama at home

Kumasi, Jan. 15, GNA – Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club maintained their position at the summit of the Glo-Premier League after chalking a hard-fought 2-1 win over visiting Medeama F/C in their league match at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi on Sunday.

The visitors gave the Porcupine Warriors a hell of a time, particularly in the closing stages of the match as they kept probing for the equalizer with series of attacks but lack of precision in their final deliveries denied Medeama from snatching at least a point in the uncompromising encounter.

Kototo began the match on a slow note as they found it difficult to string their passes together and make any meaningful impact in the early stages of the game.

Mike Akuffo, however, drew first blood for the home team from a spot-kick in the 16th minute as he beat goalkeeper Muntari Tagoe with his shot after striker Kofi Nti was brought down in the Medeama goal area.

Kotoko increased their goal tally to two in the 21st minute in a dramatic fashion courtesy Daniel Nii Adjei

It was a beautiful goal by all standards, which was initiated on the left flank by speedster Nathaniel Asamoah as he intercepted a pass, raced deep into the goal area of the visitors and let go an in-swinger which was beautifully connected home by Nii Adjei.

In the second half, Medeama brought on Emmanuel Dogbe for Attiah Sumaila, while Emmanuel Ephraim substituted Hans Koffie to bring more urgency in their attack which paid off for them.

The changes quickly yielded results as Medeama went on to score their only goal in the 69th minute through Mohammed Tanko whose close-range shot found the back of the net in a goal mouth scramble.

The visitors piled up pressure on their opponents in the latter part of the match but missed the clear-cut chances that came their way in the 77th , 88th and 90 minutes to give a sigh of relieve to the Kotoko following.

GNA