Asante Kotoko returned to winning ways in the Ghana Premier League after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Karela United on Thursday.
Isaac Opoku Agyemang scored the only goal of the match in the fourth minute, giving the Porcupine Warriors an early advantage at the start of a closely contested encounter.
Kotoko took the lead following a well-worked team move, with Emmanuel Sanja providing the cutback for Opoku Agyemang, who kept his composure to finish neatly and put the hosts ahead.
The early goal was a welcome response for Kotoko following their 2-0 defeat to Aduana FC in their previous league outing.
Karela United, however, recovered from the setback and gradually grew into the game. The visitors showed greater attacking intent as the match progressed and created opportunities as they searched for an equaliser.
Their pressure intensified after the break, with Karela enjoying extended spells of possession and testing the Kotoko defence on several occasions.
Kotoko were forced to defend for long periods in the second half but remained organised at the back to protect their narrow advantage.
Despite Karela’s sustained pressure, the visitors were unable to find the decisive finish as Kotoko held on until the final whistle.
The victory earns Asante Kotoko three valuable points and moves the club into third place in the Ghana Premier League standings.
Their position, however, could change depending on the outcome of the remaining fixtures scheduled for the weekend.
