Winning start for Kenichi
Traditional giants, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko, recorded mixed fortunes at the weekend as the much-awaited 2015/16 Premier League kicked off after West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) sent early warning signals with a 2-0 home win over Kotoko at Sogakope, while Hearts got their campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 home win over New Edubiase United.
Advertisement
Kotoko left the Sogakope park bruised after goals by Charles Boateng and Samuel Tetteh earned the home side a deserved victory to make a strong statement of intent for the season.
Nonetheless, Kotoko coach, David Duncan, is unruffled by the loss and remains confident the Porcupine Warriors would bounce back in style. “I think WAFA took their chances. That was the difference between us and the goals they scored,” Duncan said in a post-match interview.
“This league is a marathon race, not a sprint. It's a long way to travel and after losing the first game, there are 29 more matches to show what we can do.”
In contrast, Hearts of Oak’s Japanese trainer Kenichi Yatsuhashi gave the Phobians a lot to cheer about and hope for the season after his side put up an impressive performance using his ‘Sushi’ tactics to overpower a strong New Edubiase side.
Hearts looked an improved team with delightful play by newly signed midfielder, Samudeen Ibrahim, whose touches sent their fans into ecstasy. The euphoria reached fever pitch in the 78th minute when Sam Yeboah scored the winning goal to light up the stadium and sent the already charged fans into a jubilant mood.
Yeboah, who came on to replaced Selasi Adjei in the second half, was put through by skipper Robin Gnagne to fire the ball under the outstretched arms of New Edubiase goalie, Benjamin Mensah.
Elsewhere, it was a dream start by premiership debutants, Dreams FC and Techiman City FC who both recorded vital wins. Charles Akonnor guided Dreams FC to pip promoted Ebusua Dwarfs 1-0 at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast, while Techiman City recorded a giant-killing feat by beating Chelsea 1-0 at home.
