Kotoko beat Achiken 6-1

Asante Kotoko thrashed lower-tier side Achiken FC by 6-1 in a pre-season friendly on Thursday morning.

The entertaining match which formed part of their pre-season exercise ahead of the 2020-21 Ghana Premier League was held at Kotoko’s training ground at Adako Jachie.

Two first-half goals through Emmanuel Gyamfi and Evans Adomako and four in the second half by Imoro Ibrahim, William Opoku Mensah and Kwame Poku(brace) saw the Porcupine Warriors obliterate the first division side.

Razak Abalora returned to the posts after missing the Mighty Jets encounter. He was shielded at the back by Samuel Frimpong, Imoro Ibrahim, Ismail Ganiyu, and Yussif Mubarik in Maxwell Konadu’s 4-3-3 system.

Kotoko piled pressure on the visitors in the early stages of the game but could not find the back of the net despite the several goal attempts.

Emmanuel Gyamfi opened the scoring in the 15th minute by connecting a rebound from the edge of the penalty box of Ackiken FC.

Two minutes later, striker Evans Adomako wasted a good opportunity to increase Kotoko’s tally as his left-footed shot inside the box was too feeble to trouble the opponent’s goalie.

He, however, made amends by scoring in the 41st minute to make it 2-0 to the Porcupine Warriors. He got one-on-one with the goalkeeper and went around him before shooting the ball into the yawning net.

After recess, Konadu’s charges continued their impressive performance. Coach Maxwell Konadu introduced Wahab Adams, Habib Mohammed and Godfred Asiamah for Mubarik, Abdul Ganiyu and Emmanuel Keyekeh respectively. Latif Anabila was also replaced by youngster Andrews Appau.

In the 50th minute, Emmanuel Sarkodie was brought down behind the penalty box and Imoro Ibrahim elected himself for the kick and he scored from the freekick to make it 3-0. Imoro unleashed a killer cross which scratched the cross-bar before heading into the net.

Ackiken pulled a goal back in the 79th minute, pounding on a loose ball before curling into the net, with Abalora having no answer.

A minute later, striker William Opoku Mensah scored to make it 4-1. Defender Imoro Ibrahim sent in a nice cross into the penalty area which found Opoku Mensah, who out jumped Ackiken defenders to head the ball into the net.

Kwame Opoku scored two goals in the last 7 minutes to record a 6-1 victory for the Ghanaian giants.

In the 83rd minute, Kwame Poku was brought down in the penalty box and the referee adjudged as a penalty. He elected himself and scored, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

The referee ordered for the kick to be retaken. Opoku went for it again shooting beyond the stretching hands of the goalkeeper.

A minute later, he scored his second goal on the day after pouncing on a through ball from the midfield and shooting from the penalty box, 6-1 Kotoko!!!

The Porcupine Warriors will continue their preseason games on Sunday, November 8, 2020, when they travel to play as guests to Division One League side Samartex FC.

Asante Kotoko XI

Razak Abalora(GK) – Samuel Frimpong, Imoro Ibrahim, Ismail Ganiyu, Yussif Mubarik, Emmanuel Keyekeh, Latif Anabila, Adom Frimpong, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Kwame Opoku, Evans Adomako

source: Footy Dreams Gh