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The Porcupine Warriors proved too strong for the Royals on Friday’s matchday five at Accra Sports Stadium.
Asante Kotoko recorded their first win of the Ghana Premier League season by defeating the Legon Cities of Asamoah Gyan 1-0 in Accra on Friday.
Osman Ibrahim’s effort in the 11th minute gave the Porcupine Warriors all three points over the Royals that they threw on Ghanaian legend Gyan in the second half in a desperate attempt for an equalizer.
The victory on matchday five has catapulted Maxwell Konadu’s team to fourth place in the standings.
Legon, who played under new coach Bashir Hayford for the first time, sits just two points above the relegation zone as they continue their quest for a first win of the season.
Konadu welcomed center back Habib Mohammed back into his starting lineup and made his debut with former Atalanta and Ghana U-20 left-back Patrick Asmah.
Against speculation of a first starting spot for Gyan’s signing in October, new Legon coach Hayford left the former Sunderland and Udinese striker on the bench, instead relying on Raphael Ocloo to lead the attack.
After Kwame Opoku sent a barely wide rebound, Kotoko broke the deadlock in the 10th minute through Ibrahim, who beat Legon goalkeeper Fatau Dauda with a shot from inside the 18th area after being taken off by Godfred Asiamah.
The goalscorer’s night went from joy to misery as half-time approached, having to be removed from the game after suffering an injury.
Fresh from the break, Legon almost found the equalizer when Ocloo passed one-on-one with Kotoko goalkeeper Kwame Baah, but the forward saw his shot saved.
Nine minutes later, Baah was available again to avoid the draw, as he reacted well to ward off a David Cudjoe shot before Joseph Adjei’s rebound went wide.
In the 70th minute, Kotoko’s Evans Adomako shot over the crossbar from a dangerous position before Baah coldly slashed a Gyan free kick at the other end. The 35-year-old was introduced to the game at the hour mark.
Gyamfi had the opportunity to consolidate Kotoko’s lead with seven minutes left at full time, but his effort, having run into the opponent’s area after benefiting from a quick free kick, was not a problem for goalkeeper Dauda. Who finished the game as a male official. of the party.
Gyan came close to joining Kotoko during the transfer window, but left the Porcupine Warriors in the last hour in favor of Legon.
