In a thrilling encounter, Kalo Outtara proved to be the hero of the day for Asante Kotoko as he climbed off the bench to score a late winner, securing the Porcupine Warriors’ first victory of the campaign over Accra Lions.
The Porcupine Warriors started the game in fine form, dominating proceedings from the outset. Striker Steven Mukwala came close to opening the scoring with a powerful shot from distance, setting the tone for an action-packed match.
Moments later, Yahaya Baba whipped in a dangerous free-kick, but it was calmly collected by Accra Lions’ goalkeeper, Daniel Afful, who showcased his composure under pressure.
The home side had their own moments to shine on the counter-attack, with Abass Samari finding Bernard Kesse, who cleverly laid the ball off to Abdul Shakun. However, the Kotoko defense stood firm, denying their opponents any clear-cut opportunities.
Richmond Lamptey, showing his prowess from long range, unleashed a powerful strike from 35 yards, only to be thwarted by an exceptional save from Afful in the Accra Lions’ goal.
Just before halftime, there were fervent appeals for a penalty as Kesse’s shot struck the hand of a Kotoko defender inside the box. The referee, however, waved play on, leaving both sets of fans with bated breath.
As the second half commenced, Accra Lions made two swift changes, introducing Dominic Amponsah and Baba Apiiga for Kesse and David Oduro in a bid to shift the momentum in their favor. Apiiga had an excellent opportunity to put the home team ahead from a free-kick, but his effort narrowly missed the target.
In response to the mounting pressure, Asante Kotoko opted to make a substitution of their own, bringing on Kalo Outtara in place of Steven Mukwala as they searched for the crucial breakthrough.
As the game approached its conclusion, Fredrick Asante was brought on for Abdul Shakun in a late-game substitution. He had a golden opportunity to steal the victory for the home side, but unfortunately, he couldn’t find the back of the net, and Kotoko managed to clear the danger.
After a series of corner kicks in the dying minutes, Asante Kotoko finally broke the deadlock. Outtara rose above the defenders and expertly headed home the winning goal, sending the visiting fans into raptures of joy.
In a thrilling encounter filled with near misses, stunning saves, and last-minute heroics, Kalo Outtara emerged as the savior for Asante Kotoko, securing a crucial victory that will undoubtedly boost the team’s confidence as they continue their campaign. The Porcupine Warriors and their fans can savor this hard-fought triumph over Accra Lions and look forward to more exciting clashes in the season ahead.
-The Post Ghana
