Steven Mukwala (M) scored a brace
A BRACE from Steven Mukwala and a goal from Isaac Oppong helped Kotoko to beat arch rivals Hearts of Oak 3-2 in a cagey contest at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday.
With the defeat, the woes of Hearts of Oak, who were playing at home after relocating from Accra to Kumasi, have been deepened as the Phobians are experiencing a difficult season.
Hearts, who looked poised for a win against their arch rivals, started the game on a brighter note as they deservedly scored the opening goal through Linda Mtange in the 37th minute.
Just before the referee would whistle to end the first half, Kotoko found the equaliser when in-form attacker, Isaac Oppong, found the back of the net.
After the break, Kotoko, who were then having a lion’s share of possession, translated their dominance into goals as their foreign import, Steven Mukwala, who has been scoring lately, grabbed two goals.
Mukwala first found the net in the 56th minute and added his second and Kotoko’s third goal in the 74th minute as he punished Hearts of Oak over a defensive blunder to score the match winner.
Hearts, the home team, then upped their game as they probed for the equaliser to at least snatch a point from the contest, and they managed to reduce the tally via Martin Karikari’s effort in the 94th minute.
At the end of the game, Kotoko were leading by 3-2 to the delight of the Fabulous supporters, who trooped to the stadium in the club’s famous red colours.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi