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Asante Kotoko narrowly defeated Karela United in their Premier League clash at the Akoon Park in Tarkwa on Friday afternoon.
It was the only goal from striker William Opoku Mensah that did the magic for the Porcupine Warriors to secure them the three maximum points.
As usual, coach Maxwell Konadu started goalkeeper Kwame Baah in between the sticks for Kotoko despite call for Felix Annan.
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Kotoko begun the game on a good note leading to Opoku Mensah’s opener as early as the 2nd minute of the fascinating encounter.
The former Karela United striker fed on a through pass from skipper Emmanuel Gyamfi to slot home the opener.
Karela United quickly regrouped, started making incursions with Kwame Boateng and Samuel Frimpong missing glaring opportunities.
In the 24th minute, striker Kwame Boateng should have gotten the equaliser for Karela United but surprisingly misfired a shot from inside the penalty box.
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Another opportunity to restore parity fell on the hands of midfielder Samuel Frimpong in the 27th minute, but the former Kotoko player to the outmost surprised of every spectator, shot the ball off target.
In the 45th minute, Kotoko goalkeeper Kwame Baah proved why coach Maxwell Konadu should keep having faith in him by diving to palm out Emmanuel Keyekeh’s goal-bound free-kick.
The first half ended with the visitors Asante Kotoko leading courtesy William Opoku Mensah’s only goal.
Both sides returned from the break to enjoy possession, creating chances but failed to change the scoreline.
Coach Maxwell Konadu made two substitutions as he replaced Augustine Okrah and William Opoku Mensah with Mudasiru Salifu and Songne Yacouba.
Justice Blay of Kotoko and Abega Ofori were shown the yellow card in the 67th minute for their unprofessional acts.
Despite each sides creating chances, the scoreline didn’t change as Kotoko make a return to Kumasi with the three maximum points.
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Kotoko line-up
GK: Kwame Baah
Christopher Nettey
Imoro Ibrahim
Emmanuel Agyeman Badu
Habib Mohammed
Justice Blay
Kwame Adom Frimpong
Martin Antwi
Emmanuel Gyamfi (C)
Augustine Okrah
William Opoku Mensah
SUBS
Felix Annan
Abdul Ganiyu
Augustine Sefah
Mudasiru Salifu
Maxwell Baakoh
Matthew Anim Cudjoe
Songne Yacouba
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Karela United line-up
GK: Tijani Ahmed
Shaibu Iddrisu
Samuel Frimpong
Nurudeen Abdulai
Godfred Yeboah (C)
Sadiq Alhassan
Emmanuel Keyekeh
Samuel Ofori
Darlington Appiah
Diawisie Taylor
Kwame Boateng
SUBS
Yaw Acheampong
Takyi Amoah
Prince Ofori
Frankyln Osei
Isaac Hagan
Harrison Kubi
Abega Ofori
