Asante Kotoko closed in on the top three with a crucial 2-0 victory over Liberty Professionals on matchday 24 of the Ghana Premier League.
All matches of week 24 were honoured on Saturday, with Ebusua Dwarfs mysteriously continuing their unbeaten run and, yet again, Hearts of Oak struggling at home.
Kotoko were successful at Dansoman as they recorded two goals past Liberty Professionals at the Carl Reindorf Park. Young striker Dauda Mohammed fired in the opener in the 42nd minute after latching onto a loose ball.
Coach Michael Osei’s side consolidated their lead with a quarter of an hour to end the game through Eric Donkor. The captain – in the stead of the suspended Amos Frimpong – saw his effort deflect off Samuel Sarfo to seal victory.
The Porcupines – on 39 points – are still fourth on the log but now a point away from second-placed Aduana Stars and two points less than leaders All Stars.
Ebusua Dwarfs put up a dominant display to pick a 1-0 victory over All Stars, effectively maintaining their unbeaten run in five games. A solo strike from Justice Sarpong moved the Crabs to eighth on the table. All Stars, by this loss, have their lead cut down to a point.
The league’s leading scorer Yahaya Mohammed bagged his 14th of the season from the spot to hand Aduana Stars maximum points over Berekum Chelsea at Dormaa. The victory enabled the Fire Boys to overtake Hearts.
Aduana now have 40 points, same as Hearts who went through another frustration-coated drawn game at home to Techiman City. The Phobians struck first through Cosmos Dauda from a penalty. The Citizens fought strongly to get back into the game and were rewarded with an equalizer courtesy of a Vincent Adu strike. Though tied with Aduana, the Rainbow Boys occupy the third position due to a lesser goals difference.
In the Brong Ahafo Region, 13th-placed Bechem United beat 15th-positioned Inter Allies 2-0 at the Bechem Park in a relegation battle. Both goals were scored by Abednego Tetteh, who cooly converted two penalties.
At Bekwai, New Edubiase couldn’t make maximum use of their home advantage as they settled for a 1-1 draw with visitors Wafa. Komlan Agbegniadan cancelled Nasir Lamin’s opener for the Academy boys.
Dreams FC, after their painful 1-0 loss to Kotoko last Sunday, drew 1-1 with Ashantigold at the Theatre of Dreams. Abeiku Ainooson was on target once again from the spot for Dreams but Ashantigold pulled parity courtesy of Shafiu Mumuni.
Bechem: Bechem United 2 – 0 Inter Allies
Scorer: Abednego Tetteh 2× (both penalties)
Cape Coast: Ebusua Dwarfs 1 – 0 Wa All Stars
Scorer: Justice Mensah
Accra: Hearts of Oak 1 – 1 Techiman City
Scorers: Cosmos Dauda (pen) / Vincent Adu
Bekwai: New Edubiase 1 – 1 WAFA
Scorers: Nasir Lamin / Komlan Agbegniadan
Dawu: Dreams 1 – 1 AshantiGold
Scorers: Abeiku Ainooson (pen) / Shafiu Mumuni
Dansoman: Liberty Professionals 0 – 2 Asante Kotoko
Scorers: Dauda Mohammed & Eric Donkor
Dormaa: Aduana Stars 1 – 0 Berekum Chelsea
Scorer: Yahaya Mohammed (pen)
Tarkwa: Medeama vs Hasaacas (Postponed)
