Asante Kotoko finally shook off their recent slump in emphatic fashion, producing a ruthless and entertaining performance to sweep aside Basake Holy Stars at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and halt a worrying three-match winless run.
Under growing scrutiny following recent missteps, head coach Karim Zito demanded a reaction, and his players delivered in style. From the opening whistle, the Porcupine Warriors played with urgency, authority, and flair, leaving little doubt about their intent.
The breakthrough arrived when Samba O’Neil calmly dispatched a penalty to set Kotoko on their way. From there, the floodgates opened. Albert Amoah, freshly back in red after completing his loan move from Libyan outfit Al Ahly Benghazi, reminded everyone why his return is such a boost.
His breathtaking overhead kick was the standout moment of the afternoon, a goal that lifted the stadium to its feet and underlined his enduring quality.
Kwame Opoku later ensured the contest was put beyond doubt, capping the afternoon with a bicycle kick of his own, a fitting flourish to a one-sided encounter.
Kotoko’s dominance was reflected in the numbers. They peppered the Holy Stars goal with 14 attempts, nine of them on target, dictating the tempo and territory for large spells of the match. The comprehensive victory propels the Kumasi giants up to third place on the table, keeping their championship ambitions alive, even as they trail leaders Medeama by eight points.
For Basake Holy Stars, it was another bruising afternoon in a season filled with challenges. They remain precariously positioned just above the relegation places, still searching for consistency and resilience.
Attention now turns to the next round of fixtures. Kotoko head to Kpando for a tricky away test against Heart of Lions, while Holy Stars will look to regroup ahead of their clash with Berekum Chelsea.
