Kotoko wins Otumfuo Challenge Cup

Kumasi, April 23, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko's midfielder Jordan Opoku on Wednesday clinched victory for his side when he scored a spectacular goal in the 81st minute to enable his side beat city rivals King Faisal Babies 1-0 in the final match of the Otumfuo Challenge Cup played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

It was all joy as supporters of the 'Porcupine Warriors' went into wild jubilation as the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, presented the Cup to skipper Isaac Amoako to signify victory for Kotoko.

Both teams went into action right from the Referee's blast of the whistle but it was Kotoko who dominated the initial exchanges of the match with some incisive passes and incursions into the goal area of their opponents.

Kotoko's Kwabena Yaro should have opened the scoring for his side in the ninth minute but his connection from a Samuel Inkoom in-swinger went off target and just nine minutes later they again came close to scoring, however, Yaro's long range shot missed the cross-bar narrowly. Sensing danger, King Faisal brought on Enoch Ebo Andoh for Abu Naba in the 33rd which changed the face of the game as the substitute nearly shocked Kotoko with a flick at goal in the 36th but goalkeeper Amoako did well to grab the ball.

In the second half Kotoko substituted Ofosu Amoah for Nii Adjei to strengthen the midfield which paid off as the Porcupine Warriors piled up pressure on the Faisal defence but the latter's resoluteness at the backyard helped to thwart most of the efforts of the Kotoko attack which revolved around Stephen Manu, Kwabena Yaro and Francis Coffie. In the 81st minute, Opoku however made victory certain for Kotoko as he blasted home from a goal mouth scramble to win the day for the 'Porcupine Warriors'.

Kotoko's Louis Quainoo was voted the Best Player of the tournament whiles Faisal's Abedi Sarfo emerged as the Goal King with three goals. Both teams were presented with medals with Sekondi Eleven Wise who beat Bechem Chelsea 3-2 in the third-place match also presented with medals.