Asante Kotoko Win Ghana Premier League Play-Off To Finish Second

Asante Kotoko piped Medeama SC 2-1 at the Ohene Djan Stadium on Wednesday in the Ghana Premier League play-off to finish second on the league table.

After tying on points and on the head-to-head rule, the Premier League Board organized the one-off match to decide. Kotoko went ahead in the 25th minute through Ivorian import Ahmed Toure, sent off in added on time, who finished off Alex Asamoah’s assist.

Asamoah survived a rough tackle and raced into the box before picking out sharp-shooter Toure. Kotoko right-back Yaw Frimpong charged into the box and was whacked down for a penalty. Toure elected himself and displaced Medeama goalkeeper Mozart Adjetey on 39 minutes.

The Porcupine Warriors missed a lot of scoring chances afterwards before Medeama pulled one back through substitute Godbless Asamoah on the stroke of half-time. Medeama came out strongly in the second half and Louis Agyeman’s 49th minute effort was parried into play by goalkeeper Soulama but Richard Mpong fluffed the rebound.

Alex Asamoah’s 57th minute goal from a rebound was ruled offside by the assistant referee. On the hour mark, Godbless Asamoah’s half volley inside the Kotoko 18-yard box. Both teams settled for one-all draws in the two fixtures this season.

Kotoko engaged All Stars last season in a similar match at the Sunyani Coronation Park two seasons ago.That match ended 3-3 in regulation time but Kotoko won 13-12 following marathon penalty kicks.

Medeama: Mozart Adjetey-Joseph Hendricks,Augustine Sefa, Daniel Ocran, Nurudeen Ali-Richard Mpong, Abubakari Karim/Kassim Adams, Emmanuel Dogbey, Kabiru Moro/Godbless Asamoh-Hans Koufie, Louis Agyeman/Jacob Appau.

Subs: Godbless Asamoah, Jacob Appau, Kassim Adam, Owusu Asante, Frank Mintah, Ofori Acheampong, Musah Tijani.

Asante Kotoko: Soulama Abdoulaye-Mohammed Sabato,John Kuffour, Yaw Frimpong, Mohammed Awal-Daniel Nii Adjei, Albert Bruce/Afranie Yeboah, Frank Boateng, Haruna Ganiyu/Aziz Ansah-Alex Asamoah/Nathaniel Asamoah, Ahmed Toure.

Subs: Aziz Ansah, Ohene Brenya, Afranie Yeboah, Reagan Obeng, Stephen Oduro, Nathaniel Asamoah, Isaac Amoako.