Match Report: Asante Kotoko 1-2 Medeama; Porcupine Warriors surrender top spot to Medeama as Barreto tastes first defeat

Asante Kotoko conceded top spot to Medeama SC, after the latter secured a crucial comeback win over the former.

The Porcupine Warriors welcomed the Mauves and Yellow to the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on Saturday with the top spot at stake.

Prior to the game, Kotoko topped the table prior to the game and needed a result that will consolidate their league position.

Medeama on the other hand chased a result that will see them usurp the league leaders.

Asante Kotoko bossed the early stages of the game, dominating every space on the pitch.

They kept making incursions upfront until they broke the deadlock after 15 minutes.

Emmanuel laid off a pass to the left hand side of Medeama’s defense which resulted in Augustine Okrah sending in a cross.

Okrah’s beautifully weighted cross evaded everyone until it was met with a beautiful diving header by Kotoko skipper Emmanuel Gyamfi which went straight into the net.

Gyamfi’s headed goal gave Asante Kotoko a much deserved lead and also woke up Medeama who had been slumbering at the start.

Medeama will create an opening 4 minutes later when a curler by Zakaria Mumuni inside the box was met with an expert save by Kotoko goalie Razak Abalora.

Medeama will get their breakthrough after half the hour mark.

A craftily played through ball from skipper Joseph Tetteh Zutah was controlled expertly by striker Prince Opoku Agyemang inside the Kotoko box. The left footed striker unleashed a left pile driver that swam straight into the net to level the game for the visitors amidst unsuccessful protests from the Kotoko defenders for Offside.

Medeama finished the first half stringer as they took the lead against the run of play. A shot by midfielder Richard Boadu deflected off Habib Mohammed. A stunned goalie Razak Abalora could do nothing about the ball as it entered the net.

The first half ended with Medeama leading 2-1.

The energy of the two teams fizzled out gradually in the second half as Medeama held on to their lead.

Tried as Kotoko did, they failed to find the needed equalizer with Medeama holding on to get a crucial win.

The result means, Kotoko surrender top spot to Medeama SC, with the Porcupine Warriors dropping to second position on the table.

Medeama now lead the pile by 36 points ahead of the other matches this weekend.