Aduana, All Stars in two-horse race. Preko wins first match
Aduana Stars proved their title credentials with a 4-0 hammering of regional rivals Techiman City 4-0 at the Agyemang Badu Park in Dormaa Ahenkro to move them to the toop of the Premier League table on superior goal difference ahead of title rivals Wa All Stars.
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Aduana’s hit man Yahaya Mohammed enhanced his scoring reputation when he applied a clinical heading finish to a Daniel Darkwa free kick in the 19th minute to open the flood gates. It was Mohammed’s 14th goal of the season which kept him on top of the scorers’ chart.
Daniel Darkwa added the second midway through the second-half before Bright Adjei put the home side into a comfortable 3-0 lead before Derrick Sasraku headed home the fourth goal from a Godfred Saka deep into added-on time.
And with Wa all Stars’ 0-1 loss at Dansoman, the two title rivals have turned the competition into a two-horse race with two games to end the season, making their clash in Wa on Wednesday a potential title decider.
At the Carl Reindorf Park, Liberty Professionals yesterday won their first home game of the second round of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory against Wa All Stars which toppled the visiting side from the summit of the league log, reports Beatrice Laryea.
Diminutive striker Latif Blessing broke the deadlock in the 26th minute through a fantastic diving header in All Stars’ 18-yard box -- his 13th goal of the season -- to steer away from the relegation zone.
Dansoman-based Liberty dominated the exchanges in the early stages with Captain Samuel Sarfo and colleagues Benjamin Eshun, Richard Antwi and Tamimu Muntari frequently threatening All Stars defence until the 26th minute when Latif struck.
The visitors toiled in search of the equaliser and made a few attempts at goal but goalkeeper Eric Andoh produced some important saves to denied them the opportunity.
Coach Amos Kwame Adepa made three straight substitutions with Emmanuel Ocran going out for Matthew Andoh, Kofi Yeboah out for David Abagna, while Richard Arthur made way for Maxwell Baakoh but all to no avail.
At the Accra Sports Stadium, caretaker coach, Yaw Preko, earned his first win as he guided Accra Hearts of Oak to defeat Ebusua Dwarfs 1-0, courtesy a 64th minute freekick by Foovi Aguidi.
The goal, which moved Hearts from the fourth to the second spot on the log with 45 points, happened to be the first goal by Togolese forward Aguidi this season.
And even though Hearts collected all the three points, the victory was characterised by chants and displays of banners calling for the exit of the head of the Strategic Management Team of the club, Vincent Odotei, and Alhaji Akambi, a member of the team.
Dwarfs had been very disciplined tactically as they frustrated the homesters with a well thought-out offside strategy until goalkeeper Kofi Mensah uncharacteristically handled the ball outside his box in the 64th minute for referee Seidu Bomison to award a freekick.
The resultant strike by substitute Aguidi, who replaced Kenneth Okoro, zoomed straight into the net amidst spontaneous cheers from the sparse crowd.
Dwarfs, after going down, revised their tactics and raised their game but Inusah Musah, the pillar in defence of the Phobians, stood between the visitors and the much needed equaliser.
Kotoko held at Tarkwa
At the Carl Reindorf Park, Liberty Professionals yesterday won their first home game of the second round of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory against Wa All Stars which toppled the visiting side from the summit of the league log, reports Beatrice Laryea.
Diminutive striker Latif Blessing broke the deadlock in the 26th minute through a fantastic diving header in All Stars’ 18-yard box -- his 13th goal of the season -- to steer away from the relegation zone.
Dansoman-based Liberty dominated the exchanges in the early stages with Captain Samuel Sarfo and colleagues Benjamin Eshun, Richard Antwi and Tamimu Muntari frequently threatening All Stars defence until the 26th minute when Latif struck.
The visitors toiled in search of the equaliser and made a few attempts at goal but goalkeeper Eric Andoh produced some important saves to denied them the opportunity.
Coach Amos Kwame Adepa made three straight substitutions with Emmanuel Ocran going out for Matthew Andoh, Kofi Yeboah out for David Abagna, while Richard Arthur made way for Maxwell Baakoh but all to no avail.
* Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s slim title hopes evaporated intob thin air at the T&A Park at Tarkwa as Michael Osei’s side surrendered a second half lead and allowed Medeama to split the points at stake with a 1-1 draw.
The draw pushed Kotoko to the fourth position as arch-rivals Hearts leapfrogged into third position, with the Porcupine warriors five points off joint leaders Aduana and Wa All Stars with two games to wrap up the league.
Eric Donkor's 53rd minute strike gave Kotoko the lead but they allowed the home side to fight back and as Bismark Oppong scored the equalising goal seven minutes to end the game.