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Kotoko wins Otumfuo Challenge Cup
Kumasi, April 23, Ghanadot/GNA – Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s
midfielder Jordan Opoku on Wednesday clinched victory for
his side when he scored a spectacular goal in the 81st
minute to enable his side beat city rivals King Faisal
Babies 1-0 in the final match of the Otumfuo Challenge Cup
played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
It was all joy as supporters of the ‘Porcupine Warriors’
went into wild jubilation as the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei
Tutu II, presented the Cup to skipper Isaac Amoako to
signify victory for Kotoko.
Both teams went into action right from the Referee’s blast
of the whistle but it was Kotoko who dominated the initial
exchanges of the match with some incisive passes and
incursions into the goal area of their opponents.
Kotoko’s Kwabena Yaro should have opened the scoring for his
side in the ninth minute but his connection from a Samuel
Inkoom in-swinger went off target and just nine minutes
later they again came close to scoring, however, Yaro’s long
range shot missed the cross-bar narrowly.
Sensing danger, King Faisal brought on Enoch Ebo Andoh for
Abu Naba in the 33rd which changed the face of the game as
the substitute nearly shocked Kotoko with a flick at goal in
the 36th but goalkeeper Amoako did well to grab the ball.
In the second half Kotoko substituted Ofosu Amoah for Nii
Adjei to strengthen the midfield which paid off as the
Porcupine Warriors piled up pressure on the Faisal defence
but the latter’s resoluteness at the backyard helped to
thwart most of the efforts of the Kotoko attack which
revolved around Stephen Manu, Kwabena Yaro and Francis
Coffie.
In the 81st minute, Opoku however made victory certain for
Kotoko as he blasted home from a goal mouth scramble to win
the day for the ‘Porcupine Warriors’.
Kotoko’s Louis Quainoo was voted the Best Player of the
tournament whiles Faisal’s Abedi Sarfo emerged as the Goal
King with three goals.
Both teams were presented with medals with Sekondi Eleven
Wise who beat Bechem Chelsea 3-2 in the third-place match
also presented with medals.
GNA
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