Kotoko leave struggling Hearts 9 points off title chase

Accra , March 12, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko has left rivals Accra Hearts of Oak nine points off the title chase following the Porcupine Warriors 2-0 win over Wa All Stars at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the Glo Week 19 Premier League games.

A goal from Ben Acheampong and another from Prince Baffoe's debut strike in the second half was all Kotoko required in opening a nine point gab following Hearts inability to pick the maximum points in their game against Tema Youth at the Accra Sports Stadium.

With 11 games to wrap up the season, Hearts had hoped to cut down Kotoko's lead, but the Phobians who dominated visiting Tema Youth were wasteful in a game they could only pick a point despite the visitors ending with ten men.

Hearts' cause was not even helped with a waste of a spot kick awarded by referee Samuel K Gyasi after Moro Iddrisu was brought flying in the box in the second half. Mahatma Otto who stepped forward to effect the kick sent one over the bar to leave the visitors jubilant and the home fans crestfallen.

The result without doubt would intensify pressure on Hearts Coach Nebojsa Vucicevic but for Kotoko's Maxwell Kunadu, it would be a good time to start dreaming of winning the title which will be his first with any Club in Ghana.

At the Golden City Park, Berekum Arsenal torrid season continued as they could only manage a goalless draw with visiting Bechem United in a local regional derby.

The game, a straight relegation dog fight between the two Clubs fighting for Premiership survival, saw a split in the points, leaving the Ghanaian Gunners at the foot of the table with Bechem United only a place above them with 15 points each.

Elsewhere at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast where supporters of Ebusua Dwarfs assaulted referee Patrick Kyeremanteng after the game, Aduana Stars enjoyed a good spell by beating the host by a lone goal.

Godfred Saka's strike in 26th minute wrapped up victory for the visitors who climbed to fourth place on the log following the away win.

Supporters of Dwarfs who have now slipped to 7th on the table assaulted referee Kyeremanteng and his assistants after he disallowed Bismark Asiedu's late strike that could have given the homers a point as the referee ruled it as an offside.

At the Bekwai Park, Liberty Professionals relinquished a 2-0 lead to gift New Edubiase a point in the two all draw game, a result which has left Coach J. E Sarpong infuriated.

The Coach is displeased by the level of officiating which he calls beyond poor, as New Edubiase rallied back to draw 2-2 after Latif Salifu and Ebrima Camara had sent Liberty ahead.

With Liberty's Isaac Sackey sent off for an offence, the Coach insists the act did not merit a red card, whilst Edubiase's Premiership leading goal scorer, Emmanuel Baffour converted from the spot before Liberty's Tuffour Frimpong conceded an own goal in the 89th minute to condemn them to a draw.

Defending League champions, Berekum Chelsea could not get a point when they travelled to Kpando as guest of Heart of Lions.

Wassaman United returned to the A&T Park at Tarkwa to beat Meadeama.

The 3-2 win which has lifted them to second from the bottom log began with Joseph Mugre putting them ahead before Louis Agyemang equalizing goal for Medeama as they two uses the same venue for their home games even before the break.

Yufa Zuga scored from the spot before Shaffiu Mumuni scored another in the second half to ensure Karim Abubakar consolation for Medeama would not be enough to disturb their surge.

On Saturday at the Accra Sports Stadium, Obuasi AshGold relied on a first half goal from a Mohammed Yakubu;s strike to beat Tudu Mighty Jets by a lone goal.

GNA