[ads1]
Asante Kotoko pipped Legon Cities FC by a goal to nil in week five of the Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday evening.
Striker Osman Ibrahim scored the only goal to secure the Porcupine Warriors the three maximum points against Legon Cities FC.
Asante Kotoko were returning to premier league action after their CAF Champions League games against Nouadhibou FC.[ads2]
Coach Maxwell Konadu made two changes to the squad that played against Nouadhibou FC by handing Habib Mohammed and Patrick Asmah starting berths in the cagey encounter this evening.
Asante Kotoko started the game onna good note with Emmanuel Gyamfi, Osman Ibrahim and Kwame Opoku making incursions upfront.[ads3]
In-form Osman Ibrahim broke the deadlock for Asante Kotoko as early as the tenth minute.
The talented goal poacher fed on a pass from Godfred Asiamah courtesy a well calculated corner kick from Emmanuel Gyamfi to give Asante Kotoko the lead against Legon Cities FC.
Kotoko started calling for more goals to kill the game in the early minutes but goalkeeper Fatau Dauda became a hindrance as he managed to save all the goal glaring efforts from the Asante Kotoko attack.
Coach Maxwell Konadu decided to throw more energy into the game by substituting Osman Ibrahim for Evans Adomako whiles Sulley Muniru came in for Kwame Adom Frimpong all in the 41st minute.
The first half ended 1:0 in favour of Asante Kotoko.
Both teams returned from the tunnel with much determination to score.
Unfortunately for Asante Kotoko, midfielder Emmanuel Keyekeh picked an injury and had to be removed from the game with versatile Samuel Frimpong as the replacement.[ads4]
Legon Cities FC started warming themselves into the game properly with Raphael Ocloo coming close to the equalizer but his sumptuous efforts was amazingly saved by Kotoko goalkeeper Kwame Baah.
In the 70th minute, Evans Adomako nearly doubled Asante Kotoko lead but his strike in the penalty box of Legon Cities FC went over the bar.
Legon Cities marquee signing Asamoah Gyan came close to the equalizer on two occasions but his efforts were prevented by goalkeeper Kwame Baah.
The game ended 1:0 advantage Asante Kotoko courtesy Osman Ibrahim early minutes goal.
Asante Kotoko will play their next league game against Great Olympics at the Accra Sports Stadium whiles Legon Cities FC will host Ebusua Dwarfs at the same venue.[ads5]