Kotoko needed to bounce back from their defeat to Medeama last Thursday and they did not disappoint but rather delivered the “Agor) soccer” their gaffer have introduced at Techiman when they squared off against Techiman Eleven Wonders.
Abdul Fatawu, who have been slotted into the attacking role in the absence of their outermost striker Songne Yacouba gave the porcupines the lead when he converted a well taken free kick. He later turn to assist the second goal when his free kick was timely met by his Captain Amos Frimpong header to make it two in the first half.
Coach Akunnor’s half time talk inspired his lads and it was clearly seen in their second half display as they were rewarded their third goal in the 63rd minute through Evans Owusu who was making his first start in the competition for Kotoko.
This win have taken them to the summit of the group A table with 6 points whiles their opponent Eleven wonders are yet to pick a point from their three matches played so far and this defeat leaves them at the bottom of the table.
Kotoko will host AshGold on Wednesday in the Ashanti derby at the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi.
Elsewhere, Accra hearts of Oak was slapped with their consecutive loss at Aiyinase as the Pride and Passion boys pipped them by a goal to nil at their dreaded Crosby Awuah Park.
Solomon Sarfo Taylor’s 42nd minute header goal was enough to bag all the maximum points for the home side who from the blast of the referee’s whistle showed their capabilities by launching various series of attack on the phobians which nearly paid off in the 11th minute but thanks to their goalkeeper Richmond Ayi who saved them not once but as possible as he could.
Hearts of Oak on the other hand also created theirs in the 20th minute but their talisman Joseph Esso blew the opportunity after very tactical effort from the team. Daniel Kodie also had his ferocious strike on target pushed out by Karela goalkeeper Kojo Mensah. Hearts of Oak thought the have won a penalty when striker Joseph Esso was fouled in the penalty area of Karela but referee Eku Boateng Emmanuel was not interested an waved play must continue.
They continued from where they left off in the first department of the game by creating chances through Mitchell Sarpong’s effort that went wide and youngstar Manaf Umar lobbying that went off the post. Coach Kim Grant pushed his boys for the equaliser but the home side was resolute at the back and later deferred to time delaying.
Hearts needs to bounce back quickly against Ebusua Dwarfs on Wednesday at the Accra sports stadium after losing continues in their two away games and have also failed to score in both games. They are lying 6th on the group B table.
Below is full results from the GFA NC Special cup:
11 WONDERS 0⃣-3⃣ KOTOKO
⚽ Abdul Fatawu Safiu 2×
⚽ Evans Owusu
KARELA 1⃣-0⃣ HEARTS
⚽ Solomon Sarfo Taylor
LIBERTY 2⃣-1⃣ INTER ALLIES
⚽[ Elvis Kyei Baffour, Simon Zibo ||| Effiong Jnr ]
SHARKS 0⃣-0⃣ WAFA
DREAMS 1⃣-0⃣ DWARFS
⚽ Razak Cromwell (P)
B. CHELSEA 0⃣-1⃣ BECHEM UTD
⚽ Kofi Agbwsima
ADUANA 0⃣-0⃣ ASHGOLD
EVANS ODEI GYAMFI
