GPL Report: King Faisal 0-1 Asante Kotoko, Naby Keita’s last gasp goal seals win for Porcupine Warriors

A last gasp goal by Naby Keita gave Asante Kotoko a crucial away win against King Faisal in a re-arranged Ghana Premier League fixture on Wednesday.

King Faisal hosted ‘The Porcupine Warriors’ at the Ohene Ameyaw Park at Techiman seeking a win to boost their survival chances.

Kotoko on the other hand needed a win to halt their recent barren streak on the GPL.

The game got off to a frenetic side for both sides. Kotoko took the lead with chance creation before KING Faisal took over.

Kotoko had their first sniff at goal when Christopher Nettey intercepted a pass close to the Faisal box and released Latif Anabila. Anabila set up Mudasiru Salifu who shot off target.

King Faisal also had opportunities during the 22nd and the 26th minute but the shots from Kwame Peprah and Elvis Nyarko were wasted. The chances kept coming for King Faisal when Kwadwo Frimpong missed the target from close range.

A minute later, Kotoko fans had their hands in their mouth when Faisal player Elvis Nyarko unleashed a brutal tackle on Augustine Okrah. The winger was stretchered off the while Nyarko was shown a yellow card.

After Okrah couldn’t return to continue the game, Brazilian import Fabio Gama who started from the bench came on tp replace it. Before the end of the first half, Asante Kotoko made another change when Kwame Adom Frimpong who came on for Habib Mohammed.

Back from recess, King Faisal upped the tempo and started to dominate the game by creating chances. However what was lacking was the bite upfront.

Just when the game was approaching the closing stages, Asante Kotoko striker Naby Keita latched on to a pass in the box. The striker turned one Faisal defender and unleashed a shot into the net.

He put the Porcupine Warriors in front as they held on for a win, their first in their last 4 competitive games.

With the win, Asante Kotoko move 4th on the table on 27 points same as third placed Hearts of Oak and 5th placed Medeama SC.

Kotoko have one outstanding game remaining, a home fixture with Bechem United.