Kotoko lose again; Hearts pip Olympics

Kumasi Asante Kotoko coach David Duncan is beginning to feel the heat after his side were beaten for the second time running and slipped to the 11th position on the league log, after a losing 1-2 to New Edubiase United last Friday.

The following day at the Accra Sports Stadium, Hearts of Oak defeated city rivals Accra Great Olympics 1-0 through a Foovi Aguidi goal in the 21st minute to jump into mid-table on the log and give Coach Herbert Addo a respite after recent setbacks.

The loss also ended Olympics’ six-match unbeaten run and sent them deep into the relegation zone at the 15th position.

Kotoko’s defeat the Baba Yara Stadium – the second at home this season – comes on the heels of a 1-3 defeat to Heart of Lions at Kpando last week and their elimination from CAF Champions League with a 2-1 loss to El Eulma of Algeria two months ago.

Despite playing at a numerical disadvantage, New Edubiase still punished the home side after a scintillating partnership between the Nuhu brothers and another goal by Bernard Danso gave the Bekwai-based side three valuable points and left Coach Duncan still searching for answers to his team's inexplicable poor finishing despite dominating the game, writes Daniel Kenu.

Fuseini Nuhu opened the scores for the visitors in the 14th minute, connecting home beautifully an incisive pass from the flanks by his twin brother, Alhassan. Fuseini stretched to poke the ball with his right toe, beating goalkeeper Isaac Amoako.

Kotoko's Ahmed Adams revived the hopes of the defending league champions with a powerful header in the 26th minute but their joy was short-lived as Danso completed a fast counterattack with a pile driver which hit the roof of the net a minute later.

Three minutes into the second half, New Edubiase's Tahiru Malik was giving the marching off orders by Referee Otis Oppong for a second bookable offence. But Kotoko failed to take advantage of their numerical strength to deliver the goals, as the visiting side thwarted all their moves, with the agility of goalkeeper Benjamin Mensah denying the home side any equalising goal.

At the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi, Ashantigold recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Wa All Stars to maintain their hold on the top position on the league log.
Yakubu Mohammed scored the only goal of the game through a ninth minute spot kick.
At Tarkwa, Sekondi Hasaacas held Medeama SC to a scoreless draw in a tensed Western regional derby.