Ashgold sink Hearts
AshantiGold maintained a perfect start in the Ghana Premier League after they handed Accra Hearts of Oak a severe 3-1 beating at the Cape Coast Stadium last Saturday to hold onto the top spot of the league log.
With two victories, the Soccer Miners are the only side with a perfect record and last Saturday’s victory pushed Hearts down the league ladder in the 15th position with just a point.
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It was a good weekend for Kumasi Asante Kotoko and WAFA who discovered the winning touch after they both played out a 1-1 draw in their opening game at the Redbull Arena, Sogakope, last week. Yesterday, Kotoko defeated Inter Allies 1-0 in Kumasi, while WAFA handed Liberty Professionals a 3-1 defeat on their home grounds to push the Dansoman-based side to the bottom of the log without a point.
Last Saturday, Coach Charles Akonnor inspired Ashgold to another victory against his former club with ninth goals from James Akaminko, Amos Addai (60th min) and Shafiu Mumuni (89th min) securing all three points for the visitors. Joseph Esso scored the consolation goal for the Phobians in the 75th minute.
Kotoko’s home win came in spectacular fashion as winger Obed Owusu Ampong dived to head home a decisive cross in the 53rd minute from the left flanks, after speedster Emmanuel Gyamfi raced with the ball from the centre line to the penalty area before setting up Obed for the only goal, writes Daniel Kenu.
However, the Porcupine Warriors had to wait till the second half to translate their slight dominance into a goal as Tema-based Inter Allies, handled by Japanese coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi, frustrated Paa Kwasi Fabin’s side in the first half.
Kotoko turned on the heat early in the game in search of their first three points in two matches.
But in their haste, they blew away two quick opportunities in three minutes including Obed Owusu Ampong's miskick in front of goal.
Inter Allies responded with some deft touches and a knitted midfield dominance but their leading marksman, Victorien Zakari Adebayor, from whom much was expected, was eclipsed temporary by defender Daniel Darkwa.
But Adebayor was to bare his teeth in the 18th minute when he broke loose but his close range shot missed the upright. And three minutes later, his effort was thwarted by agile goalkeeper, Felix Annan.
At the Carl Reindorf Park, WAFA put up an impressive second half display to call off Liberty’s bluff on home soil, writes Bernard Neequaye.
Substitutes Richard Danso and Charles Boateng both came off the bench to score for WAFA in the 65th and 89th minutes after Aminu Mohammed had opened the scoring in the 50th minute.
The Scientific Soccer lads could secure a consolation goal through Bright Andoh in the 89th minute when his fine header from a Michael Ampadu’s strike hit the back of the net.
The win placed WAFA and Kotoko in second and fifth positions respectively, while Inter Allies dropped to the sixth position behind Dreams FC, Ebusua Dwarfs who drew 0-0 with Wa All Stars in Wa.
Defending champions Aduana Stars drew goalless with Elmina Sharks in their league opener at the Ndoum Stadium at Elmina, while Bechem United cruised to a 2-0 victory against Medeama at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park.