In a commanding display at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Asante Kotoko SC triumphed over Bibiani GoldStars with a 2-0 victory on last night. The match, which kicked off at 6:00pm, showcased the Asante Kotoko’s tactical superiority and resilience, as they secured all three points in this league encounter.
Asante Kotoko lined up in a 4-2-1-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking fluidity. Mohamed Camara took his position in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Lord Amoah on the right, Patrick Asiedu on the left, and the central defensive partnership of Samba O’niel and Joseph Ablorh. In front of them, the central midfield duo of Justice Blay and Andrews Ntim Manu were tasked with controlling the midfield, while Baba Yahaya operated as the attacking midfielder, looking to link play between the midfield and the forward line. The attacking trio featured Peter Amidu Acquah on the right, Kwame Opoku as the central striker, and Saaka Dauda on the left, all expected to stretch the opposition defence and create goal-scoring opportunities.
Michael Kyei Dwamena and Wisdom Fernando were later be introduced to bolster the team's performance.
The match began with intensity, and it was Justice Blay who opened the scoring for Asante Kotoko in the 19th minute, converting a penalty with his right foot after a handball incident in the box. This early goal set the tone for the Asante Kotoko, who looked to dominate the proceedings.
Bibiani GoldStars struggled to find their rhythm, and their frustrations boiled over when their right-back received a yellow card for a bad tackle on Peter Amidu Acquah in the 22nd minute. Asante Kotoko continued to press, and in the 29th minute, Patrick Asiedu was cautioned for a similar offence, highlighting the physical nature of the contest.
The visitors' woes deepened in the 37th minute when they were reduced to ten men following a red card shown to their right-back again for another bad tackle on Peter Amidu Acquah, leaving them to navigate the remainder of the match with a numerical disadvantage. As the first half drew to a close, the score remained 1-0 in favour of Asante Kotoko.
The second half commenced with Asante Kotoko looking to extend their lead, but it was Justice Blay who found himself in the referee's book, receiving a yellow card for a tackle just two minutes after the restart. The match continued to be fiercely contested, and in the 50th minute, Joseph Ablorh also received a yellow card, further emphasizing the match's combative nature.
Asante Kotoko maintained control, and in the 60th minute, Saaka Dauda was cautioned for kicking his opponent, but the Asante Kotoko remained focused on their objective.
The breakthrough came in the 77th minute when Kwame Opoku scored the second goal for Asante Kotoko, finishing off a well-worked team move with a precise right-footed placing, assisted by a short pass from Peter Amidu Acquah.
In the 80th minute, Asante Kotoko made tactical substitutions, bringing on Michael Kyei Dwamena for Baba Yahaya and Wisdom Fernando for Peter Amidu Acquah, aiming to solidify their lead and control the game.
As the match neared its conclusion, Lord Amoah received a yellow card in the 84th minute for unsporting behaviour, but it did little to dampen the spirits of the home crowd, who were buoyed by their team's performance.
Ultimately, Asante Kotoko SC secured a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Bibiani GoldStars, with Samba O’niel earning accolades as the player of the match for his commanding presence in defence. The result not only boosts Asante Kotoko's league standing but also reinforces their status as a formidable force in Ghanaian football.
