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In a thrilling Ghana Premier League encounter on matchday 14 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Asante Kotoko orchestrated a remarkable comeback, overcoming an early deficit to secure a pulsating 3-2 victory against their arch-rivals, Hearts of Oak.
Preceding the fixture, Hearts found themselves compelled to relocate their home games to Kumasi due to the National Sports Authority’s decision to close the Accra Sports Stadium for alternative social events in December.
The early minutes of the match saw Hearts pressing, with Linda Mtange missing a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the fifth minute, sending his shot surprisingly wide. However, Mtange later found success in breaching Kotoko’s defense by the 39th minute, rising above his marker to connect with a splendid cross from Ibrahim Salifu.
Just before the halftime whistle, Kotoko drew level, capitalizing on a defensive blunder by the Phobians. The teams entered the break with the score at a deadlock.
Resuming the second half, Kotoko continued their onslaught, consistently creating openings in the Hearts defense. Steven Dese Mukwala took advantage of goalkeeper Richmond Ayi’s error, propelling Kotoko into the lead. Despite Hearts’ protests for an offside in the goal buildup, the referee remained steadfast in dismissing their plea.
Mukwala extended Kotoko’s lead to 3-1 in the 74th minute, completing a brace with a polished finish, sparking wild jubilations among the away supporters. Despite opportunities for more goals, Kotoko’s strikers displayed a degree of sluggishness in front of the net.
As the specter of defeat loomed over Hearts, they threw men forward in a desperate bid to salvage the match. Their efforts bore fruit in deep additional time when they deservedly pulled one goal back, injecting a final surge of drama into a captivating contest.
Martin Karikari scored the late goal for the home team as they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat in the hands of arch-rivals at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday afternoon.
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