Kumasi Asante Kotoko extended their lead on the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League log after recording a 1-0 home win over their arch rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The home side shot into the lead in the 17th minute after Frank Etouga Mbella slotted home from a spot kick.
This was after Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder, Nuredeen Abdul Aziz had brought down Fabio Gama in the penalty box.
The victory extends Kotoko’s lead over Hearts to 16 points; Kotoko also leads second-placed Bechem United by eight points.
An exciting end to end game ensued in the rest of the first half as both sides had a fair share of the action on the day.
The Phobians returned from the halftime break in search of an equalizer with the introduction of Samuel Inkoom, Patrick Razak, Kofi Kodzi and Agyenim Boateng but their efforts did not fetch the needed results.
Later in the game, everyone thought Richard Boadu had double the lead for the porcupines with a rebound in front an empty net but missed the goalpost by an inch.
The fabulous lads then reverted to sit back and hit the rainbow boys on the counter-break as they managed to contain the pressure to win the bragging rights in the Super Clash.
At the end of the game, Yussif Mubarak of Kumasi Asante Kotoko was named as NASCO’s most valuable player on the day.
Kumasi Asante Kotoko have extended their lead points to 52 while the defeat sees Hearts of Oak lying 6th on the league table with 36 points.
The league continues next weekend with Kumasi Asante Kotoko facing Real Tamale United in Kumasi while Accra Hearts of Oak hosts Elmina Sharks in Accra.
