Ghana Football Review: Asante Kotoko back to winning ways in Glo Premiership

Kumasi Asante Kotoko returned to winning ways in the Glo Premiership last Sunday as they scored an important away victory in Tarkwa to keep their leadership of the table and look set to clinch a record 22nd top – flight title in Ghanaian football history.

The weekend round of matches also saw Accra Hearts of Oak registering successive victories this second round with New Edubiase United, Bechem United and Berekum Arsenal also getting important wins.

Kotoko hold a 10 points lead at the top of the Premiership log after 23 games, and this latest victory puts them head and shoulders above the chasing pack as they march towards their first league title in four seasons.

They came from behind to beat Wassaman United 3 – 1 at the Tarkwa T&A Park to record their 14th win of the campaign and confirm their status as the most consistent team in the league this term.

Evans Nyarko opened the scoring for the home side in the fourth minute, but Kotoko came back strongly to score two goals through Ben Acheampong and Michael Anaba to end the first session 2 – 1 in their favour.

Burkinabe import, Sacko Iddrissa made in three for the Porcupines in the second half, to condemn United to their 12th defeat of the campaign as they fall behind in the race to beat relegation.

Kotoko has 49 points and sit comfortably at the top of the standing with seven games to go and it would take a gargantuan collapse on their part to deny them the diadem at the end of the season.

Hearts of Oak moved to second position and kept the pressure on the leaders thanks to their 3 – 0 win over Wa All Stars at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

They took a 2 – 0 at half time thanks to a penalty converted by Laryea Kingston and an effort by James Abban with Sadat Karim adding a third in the second session.

New Edubiase United beat Ebusua Dwarfs 3 – 2 at the Bekwai Nana Gyamfi Park for their 10th win of the season. Abeiku Ainooson, Emmanuel Baffour and Basit Adams scored for United with Kwame Frimpong and Seidu Bancey on target for the visitors who have now lost six in a roll.

Bechem United earned a hard fought 2 – 1 victory at home over Tema Youth thanks to two efforts by Richard Addai to keep them in contention to beat relegation on their debut in the Ghanaian top – flight league. Abel Hammond got the consolation for Tema Youth.

It was a similar result for another relegation threatened side, Berekum Arsenal who beat Liberty Professionals at the Golden City Park. Joseph Masel and Francis Aggrey scored for Arsenal with Kennedy Ashia on target for the visitors. The Gunners must now win all their remaining matches to stand in with a chance of avoiding the drop.

In other games played over the weekend, Mighty Jets drew goalless with Aduana Stars in Accra as did Heart of Lions who were held to a stalemate by visiting Medeama SC at Kpando.

The outstanding game between AshantiGold SC and Berekum Chelsea would be played on Thursday at the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi where the Miners would seek to make it eight straight wins this second round and reclaim second position on the Premiership log.