A Richmond Lamptey goal against former club WAFA SC was all that Asante Kotoko needed for the maximum points in their 2021/22 Ghana Premier League (GPL) match-day 10 fixture on Sunday.
The Porcupine Warriors dominated proceedings with the Academy Boys barely threatening throughout the Boxing Day game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Centre-back Mubarik Yusif came close to opening the scoring in the 29th minute but his header from a Stephen Amankona corner kick came off the upright.
Around the 25th minute, referee Benjamin Sefa controversially awarded Kotoko a penalty after goalkeeper Osei Kwadwo Bonsu swiftly reacted to steal the ball from the legs of Cameroonian Franck Thierry Etouga Mbella who had almost successfully rounded him.
WAFA players protested vehemently while the centre referee consulted his assistants and subsequently rescinded his penalty decision.
Kotoko came close again on the half-hour mark when Amankona laid a pass to Fabio Gama but the Brazilian’s weak left-foot effort from inside the box narrowly missed the target.
WAFA’s best chance in the opening half came in the 40th minute but striker Justus Torsutsey failed to guide home an Eric Agyemang cross from the right.
The breakthrough goal finally arrived a minute before the hour mark with midfielder Lamptey on hand to plant home on a second try. He fed on a pass from Georges Mfegue but his first strike got blocked before getting successful with the rebound.
Kotoko could have extended their lead by a couple more goals but the likes of Lamptey, Etouga Mbella and Mfegue failed to take the several chances that came their way.
The solitary goal victory now puts Kotoko on the same points – 20 – with Aduana FC and King Faisal who both lost their matches on the road on Sunday. Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum’s side, however, have a game in hand against arch-rivals Hearts of Oak.
Asante Kotoko midfielder Richard Boadu won the NASCO man-of-the-match award.
