Asante Kotoko produced one of the best comebacks in Ghana Premier League history with an emphatic 3-2 win against bitter rivals Hearts of Oak in a game they played at the Baba Yara Stadium as the away side.
The host showed early intent at going for an early lead in the 3rd minute with attack on the defense Asante Kotoko, but a resilient Kotoko defense dealt with the threat when Henry Ansu pushed the incoming ball to corner, but the Phobians failed to make good use of it.
Determined to get the opener, Hearts of Oak with their skilled midfield began pushing and mounting more pressure, forcing the Kotoko defense to work overtime, tracking back eith several of their men to ensure they kept the phobias at bay.
In the 7th minute, Sherif Mohammed tracked back to take the ball from Mtange, but the referee called for a foul against the midfielder for a free kick to Hearts, which was blocked by the human wall
Asante Kotoko came into the game in the 14th minute with a swift attack resulting into a free kick, which was blastered off target by Sherif Mohammed.
19’- Mukwala out-jump his marker and connects powerfully to Morisson’s corner kick delivery, but it’s cleared on the line.
Accra Hearts of Oak came close to scoring again in the 19th minute, but Glid Mtange shot off target.
By the half-hour mark, both sides had shown signs of getting the opener eith Hearts of Oak as the better side in the exchanges.
With a Superior attacking instinct and the hungry for the opening goal, Hearts of Oak changed their approach with more men fighting upfront, leading to several free kicks against the porcupine warriors.
Asante Kotoko finally gave up the fight in the 37th minute when
Linda Mtange flicked in a well-taken Ibrahim Salifu free kick to give Hearts of Oak a 1-0 lead.
With their tag line “Kum Apem, Apem Beba” Asante Kotoko fought back into the game having gone done before the 40th minute, and in the 44th minute, Richmond Lamptey good advantage of a poor defensive clearance, sending in a low pass towards the goal, Swift running Isaac Oppong run through the defect of Hears of Oak to shoot pass Richmond Ayi for the equalizer.
The two combatants went into the break in stalemate, looking forward to return eith some fresh blood for the battle ahead of the game
Back into the second Half and Accra Hearts of Oak make the first Substitution, Martin Karikari and Gideon Asante, replaced the injured Salifu Ibrahim and Kashala Ramos. The 2 substitutions did not do the home side any good as Asante Kotoko scored through Steven Mukwala in the 55th minute when he capitalized on a rebound following Isaac oppong shot at goal.
With just half hour of game time to play, Asante Kotoko re-enforced their midfield with Micheal Kyei Dwamena coming in the replace Baba Yahaya, Kotoko hen looked more dangerous from here with Oppong tearing the defense of Hearts of Oak,
with 15 minutes left to Play, Ugandan attacker steven Mukwala capitalized on a defensive blunder by Kelvin Osei Asibey to score his second on the day, and hos side’s third.
That goal seem the final stray that broke the camels back for the phobians, but with 6 additional minutes to play. The phobians fought back with Martin Karikari gating a goal back to reduce the deficit
However that goal was not enough to get the Hearts side a win from home.
