LG Top 4: Kotoko in controversial victory

An outrageous decision by referee JBK Akeosu from Hohoe deep into injury time to ignore a penalty when a Kotoko defender handled the ball the vital area left Kotoko off the hook to beat Olympics 2-1 in a dramatic late 94th minute goal at the Accra Sport Stadium on Sunday.

Referee Akoesu's performance, an indictment on officiating in the country, left a sour taste in the mouth of both groups of supporters resulting in players and officials of Olympics charging on him after the final whistle. But for the timely intervention of the police, a nasty incident would have occurred.

Kotoko would be in the first match agree that they have been in a match of their lives as Olympics prior to today's match were the weeping boys of the tournament having lost their first three matches conceding nine goal and scoring only one the process competed for everything.

The Fabulous lads kicked off and pressed hard in the early stages succeeding in creating some early anxious moments in the Olympics defence which they failed to capitalise on.

As the game wore on, Olympics game plan to frustrate Kotoko with packed midfield and tight marking at the back marshalled around Ahmed Issah yielded the desired result as they kept the of attack of Kotoko at bay.

Isaac Boakye had the first open chance in the 10th minute but fired off the mark after a fast break by Michael Osei and Michael Asanti left him unmarked.

With action mostly concentrated in the midfield, Kotoko who looked more aggressive had another chance to open the scoring after Osei had beaten the offside trap but wasted too much time on the ball and allowed Issah to recover to block his shot to touch in the 37th minute.

Olympics who were content with their defensive approach created little up front and had the first chance in the 41st minute when Yeboah Richard's shot from the edge of the box just went wide of the mark to go into the break goalless.

Fans of Kotoko showed their frustration as the game wore on and pelted the assistant referee two with water bags giving security personnel at the stadium some hectic time to bring them under control.

Kotoko finally opened the scoring in the 53rd minute through a penalty kick converted by Stephen Oduro after a hard-pressed Olympics defender handled the ball in the vital area.

Olympics after going down came out of their defensive shell and pushed more men forward in a bid to get the equalizer which duly came in the 62nd minute through a booming freekick by John Cudjoe which Louis Quainoo failed to deal with for the ball to roll into the net.

The Dade Boys pushed more men forward after the equalizer and Francis Mantey had a good chance to increased the tally when he found some space in Kotok's vital area but his final delivery went straight into the hands of goalkeeper Quainoo.

With the game heading for a draw Kotoko brought on Shila Alhassan for Boakye who scored a dramatic late winner deep into injury time from a pass by Osei as a result of a quick counter attack after the referee waved play on to a clear hand ball in the Kotoko box after a corner kick.

The win Kotoko's fourth in succession the LG Top Four Competition leaves them six clear points ahead of Liberty professionals and Accra Hearts of Oaks and a win against in their pan-ultimate match in Kumasi against Liberty would see the annexing the title.

Kotoko lineup: Louis Quainoo Aziz Ansah Godfred Yeboah Dan Acquah Joe Hendricks Edmond Owusu-Ansah/Frank Osei Michael Asante Yussif Chipsah Stephen Oduro/Kwadwo Poku Snr. Isaac Boakye/Shilla Alhassan Michael Osei.

Kotoko lineup: Louis Quainoo Aziz Ansah Godfred Yeboah Dan Acquah Joe Hendricks Edmond Owusu-Ansah/Frank Osei Michael Asante Yussif Chipsah Stephen Oduro/Kwadwo Poku Snr. Isaac Boakye/Shilla Alhassan Michael Osei