Coach Zito off to winning start with Asante Kotoko
Coach Abdul-Karim Zito made a dream start to his tenure at Asante Kotoko, guiding the Porcupine Warriors to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aduana FC at the Baba Yara Stadium yesterday.
Kwame Poku’s decisive 26th-minute strike secured all three points for Kotoko, reviving their title ambitions with just five matches remaining in the season.
The win moves Kotoko to within three points of leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, though they remain in fourth place.
Aduana FC, meanwhile, continue to struggle, sitting 11th with 38 points from 29 matches.
Gold Stars lose
Elsewhere, at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex, league leaders, Bibiani Gold Stars, stumbled with a 2-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Vision FC. Edward Agyemang’s 55th-minute effort and Edmond Asante’s 86th-minute goal secured a crucial victory for Vision, lifting them to 14th, four points above the drop zone.
Despite the loss, Gold Stars cling to the top spot with 53 points. Second-placed Nations FC failed to capitalise on Gold Stars' slip, when they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Berekum Chelsea.
A 29th-minute penalty converted by Stephen Amankona gave Chelsea the edge, propelling them to eighth on the standings while Nations FC remain just two points off the top.
Defending champions, FC Samartex 1996, continued their strong end to the season with a commanding 3-0 home victory over Basake Holy Stars at the Nsenkyire Arena.
Baba Musah Hamadu opened the scoring early before Emmanuel Mammah added a brace to seal an emphatic win. Samartex now sit fifth with 45 points, while Holy Stars are dangerously close to the relegation zone in 12th.
Lions devour Legon Cities
Legon Cities' relegation fears deepened after a 1-0 home defeat to title hopefuls Kpando Heart of Lions. Christian Agyenim Boateng’s first-half strike condemned Legon Cities to their 18th defeat of the season, leaving them firmly rooted in the relegation zone with 25 points.
Heart of Lions, tied on points with Kotoko, sit third, just three points off the summit.
At the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium, Karela United’s struggles continued with a 2-1 home loss to Dreams FC.
Early strikes from Abdul Razak Salifu and Joseph Esso gave Dreams a comfortable lead before Malik Abubakar’s late effort for Karela.
However, it was too little too late, leaving Karela deep in the relegation scrap while Dreams secure a solid mid-table standing.
