MATCH REPORT: Asante Kotoko 4-0 R.T.U

Ruthless Asante Kotoko thumped Real Tamale United by 4-0 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to return to winning ways on Sunday evening. 

After collecting a point from a maximum of six in the previous two games, there were huge expectations from the fans, many of whom had thronged the Baba Yara Stadium on the quiet Sunday evening in anticipation of a good game from the Porcupine Warriors. 

And they were not disappointed.

Coach Abdul Gazale showed tactical astuteness with a strategy that focused on dominating and creative midfield play, and that began having impact right in the opening minutes when an incisive pass found Mukwala whose cutback from the left side of the opposition’s penalty area was intercepted by the defence of RTU.

Kotoko continued to pile on pressure with Brazilian striker, Matheus Medeiros, a constant threat to the opposing defence.

It was one of such creative midfield play and darting run from the Brazilian that forced the goalkeeper of RTU, Yaw Osei, to touch an aerial ball outside the penalty area as he sought to beat Medeiros to the ball. Referee Daniel Laryea justifiably showed the goalie a red card and awarded Kotoko a free kick, which was powered home brilliantly by Augustine Adjapong for the first goal.

Kotoko survived a rare wave of attacking play from the Tamale lads and recovered well to control the game till half time.

After the break, the Porcupine Warriors continued to dominate play with incisive passes and good inter-positional attacking play and in one such swing of attack, the reeling RTU defence conceded a penalty from a handball, which was coolly converted by Mukwala. The tireless Ugandan striker, who was adjudged man of the match, got his double after pouncing on a loose ball to intelligently go past his marker and placing the ball past RTU’s goalie to put the score at 3-0. 

Brazilian striker, Medeiros, got his well deserved goal as the game petered out after a sweet combination of passes, to record his debut goal for Kotoko. 

We are now fifth on the league table with 38 points and with a game in hand while the leaders Aduana Stars have 44 points. 

The team has commenced preparation for the outstanding game against King Faisal at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Wednesday evening. 

Starting XI: Asare; Adjapong, Alhassan, Sherrif, Bonsu; Richard Boadu, Lamptey, Zeze, Oppong; Mukwala, Matheus