Mukwala’s brace helps Kotoko to sink Hearts

Asante Kotoko’s Stephen Mukwala scored twice in the second half to ensure they beat Hearts of Oak 3-2 in their betPawa Premier League game played at the Baba Yara Stadium yesterday.

The Ugandan twice profited from poor Hearts' defensive play to punish them. He first capitalised on lousy goalkeeping after goalkeeper Richmond Ayi had spilt an innocuous shot onto his path before benefiting from an awful back pass to slot home for the third goal.

Hearts, who had adopted the Baba Yara Stadium as their home venue due to the closure of the Accra Stadium to sporting activities, opened the score in the 37th minute against the run of play when their Congolese import, Linda Mtange, connected from a delicate free kick taken by Ibrahim Salifu.

Kotoko did not relent on their determination to run away as victors, and they continued to pile pressure on Hearts of Oak with goalkeeper Ayi coming to their rescue a couple of times.

The highly entertaining game saw the Hearts of Oak sparingly creating some chances with Salifu taking control of the midfield and occasionally released. 

Korsah had whipped in a decent cross into the Kotoko box, but after a comedy of errors, Kofi Agbesimah’s shot heading into the post was intercepted by his own player, Hamza Issah, who was lurking in the box.  

On the other hand, it was Kotoko who launched an attack from the flank when Baba Yahaya spotted Enoch Morrison, who attempted to outpace Issah but was effectively checked.

The Porcupine Warriors had dominated the first half and Mukwala had the chance to open the scoring when he met an inflight ball, but his header was calmly saved by Ayi. Soon, Mukwala was on the offensive again when Isaac Oppong found him in the box, but his connection went over the crossbar much to the disappointment of the Kotoko fans.

A minute before recess, Kotoko’s consistent pressure paid off when Lamptey, who had taken control of the midfield, found Baba, who split the Hearts defence open to find Isaac Oppong, who slotted the ball at the blind side of Ayi and gave them a deserving equaliser.

After recess, Hearts improved their game and forced the Kotoko defence to work extra hard as they had to defend their lines.

By the 55th minute, Kotoko increased their lead when Oppong’s shot was spilt by goalkeeper Ayi, but an unmarked Mukwala fired into the roof of the net to increase the tally and send their fans into wild jubilation.

The crossbar came to the rescue of Kotoko in the 74th minute when Enoch Asubonteng’s effort fell to Hamza, who fired a shot.

However, Kotoko was on the offensive, with Lamptey who located Mukwala in the far right, but Osei Assibey. who intercepted the ball, attempting a back pass to his goalkeeper, but Mukwala once again picked the ball to slot into an empty net for the third goal.

Heart got a consolation in time added on when Martin Karikari surged into the box to fire into the net in the 94th minute.