Kotoko Serves Bechem United With A Brazilian Flavour At Obuasi
Kumasi Asante Kotoko claimed all three points in their outstanding league match against Bechem United to move to third on the table.
If winning the match was a delight, then there was more to it than just the maximum points. Kotoko’s Brazilian contingent of Fabio Gama and Michael Vinicius all came to the party. Gama who who scored his first Kotoko goal in the 1 – 1 stalemate against Techiman Eleven Wonders last Saturday needed just 42 minutes today to register another.
Having ditched the Accra Sports Stadium to adopt the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium as their new home ground, Kotoko needed to stamp their authority in that new home. It didn’t take them long to do exactly that as Abdul Ganiyu shot them into the lead in 12 minutes.
The Brazilian party started right there as Ganiyu received a short free kick from Gama before drilling it past the United keeper after taking two touches.
Gama then turned scorer in the 42nd minute after receiving the ball from Andy kumi. He took a nice first touch before curling his shot into the net to give his side a two goal lead heading into recess.
Andy Kumi making only his second appearance for the Porcupine Warriors then headed in with precision to make it 3 – 0 in the 63rd minute. That all but ended any hopes from the visitors of earning a point at Obuasi.
Another Brazilian would then add spices to the victory to give Kotoko a perfect home start at their new adopted home. This time it was debutant Michael Vinicius who was brought in for Andy Kumi in the 79th minute. The striker needed little time for conditioning as he went straight into action to make his debut a bright one.
After less than 3 minutes on the field of play, he took his chance to open his goal account after Godfred Asiamah’s shot was blocked and directed to his path. That strike gave the Oseikrom lads a commanding 4 – 0 win over the Hunter.
The win moves Kotoko to third on the league standing, a point behind Karela and two off leaders Great Olympics but closely followed by rivals Hearts of Oak who are a point less. It was also the first game for Mariano Barreto who took charge of the club last month.
As the club’s Twitter handle puts it “A Ghanaian delight with Brazilian touches prepared by a Portuguese chef. GREAT MEAL of football for a Wednesday afternoon!!”
It was a Brazilian party at the Obuasi mines that dazed the Bechem Hunters.
By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com
