Gold Stars stun Kotoko in GHALCA Top 4 thriller
Bibiani Gold Stars launched their GHALCA Top 4 campaign in style with a stirring comeback victory over giants Asante Kotoko, snatching a 2-1 win in the tournament opener at the University of Ghana Stadium yesterday.
The Ghana Premier League champions looked rattled when Kotoko’s Albert Amoah fired the Porcupine Warriors ahead after just 16 minutes.
But the Miners, true to their reputation as comeback specialists, roared back with a controversial penalty converted by Samuel Atta-Kumi before a second-half own goal from Henry Ansu sealed victory, despite a barrage of Kotoko chances repelled by the heroic Emmanuel Kobi in goal.
Kotoko settled into the match quickly and deservedly broke the deadlock through Amoah, who squeezed the ball home from an acute angle after a slick team move.
However, Gold Stars refused to buckle; they quickly organised themselves, began dominating possession and stringing attacks, and soon found a way back.
In the 22nd minute, referee Daniel Laryea pointed to the penalty spot after a foul on Atta-Kumi, despite vehement Kotoko protests that the challenge had occurred outside the 18-yard box. Unmoved, the official stood his ground, and Atta-Kumi coolly slotted the penalty past Mohamed Camara to level matters.
Controversy
The controversial equalising goal galvanised Gold Stars, who began dictating the tempo, even though the Porcupine Warriors carried a greater attacking threat, only to be repeatedly thwarted by the inspired Kobi.
The Miners’ shot-stopper produced a stunning one-on-one save from Saaka Dauda on the half-hour mark that left Kotoko players and fans holding their heads in anguish, ensuring parity at the half-time break.
The second half delivered even more drama as Gold Stars grew in confidence and pushed Kotoko onto the back foot with a series of marauding moves and set pieces.
Atta-Kumi was a constant menace and won a dangerous free-kick just outside the box after being clattered by goalkeeper Camara in the 55th minute, but Kotoko’s defence held firm.
However, it was Kotoko who came closest to restoring their lead on the hour when Amoah was sent clean through and looked certain to restore Kotoko’s lead, only for Kobi to pull off another superb block.
The rebound fell kindly to a Kotoko attacker, but once again the keeper spread himself brilliantly before Amoah’s ballooner, the third attempt over the bar, and that missed opportunity would prove costly minutes later.
In the 63rd minute, Kotoko were left to rue those missed chances when calamity struck. Defender Henry Ansu, under no pressure, mistakenly kicked a back-pass that rolled beyond his keeper and into the net, handing Gold Stars an unexpected but priceless 2-1 lead.
Kotoko’s frustrations boiled over as tempers flared, with Amoah and another teammate booked in quick succession. Still, they poured forward in search of salvation, but Kobi stood tall, repelling efforts from Amoah, Antwi and Saaka in a commanding display between the sticks.
The Bibiani side could have killed off the contest late on when another free-kick whistled narrowly wide, but their resilience proved enough as they held firm through five nervy minutes of added time.
In yesterday’s other match, Hearts of Oak beat Heart of Lions 1-0.
The Miners now turn their attention to a mouth-watering clash with Hearts of Oak on Friday, while Kotoko will attempt to bounce back against Kpando Heart of Lions on the same day.
