Kotoko Pip Kessben

Abrankese-Nyameani, (Ash) Jan.13, GNA - A 60th minute goal scored by Eric Bekoe enabled Kumasi Asante Kotoko to beat new entrants, Kessben F.C. 1-0 in their Onetouch Premier League match played at Anane Boateng Sports Stadium at Abrankse-Nayameani on the Lake Bosumtwi road on Sunday.

Kotoko were really hot until their goal poacher managed to break the deadlock for his side when he break through a forests of legs of Kessben to deliver a perfect shot which hit the blind side of goalkeeper Frank Ando.


It was Kotoko who kicked off from the blast of referee Ebenezer Fergusson of Accra who within four minutes had whistled two infringements against Kotoko but Kessben could not translate the chances into goals.


Kessben had a free kick in the 17th minute which was taken by James Boadu but Kotoko's keeper Abdoulaye managed to parry the ball to corner with the resultant kick wasted.


The new entrants who were determined to carry the day continued to pile pressure on Kotoko and earned another corner in the 23rd minute but that was also squandered.

Ahmed Toure nearly opened the scores for Kessben but for the experience of Richard Manu who kicked the ball to corner. Kotoko came into the picture in the 39th minute but also wasted a chance by Nana Arhin Duah whose shot missed the posts after connecting a cross from Eric Bekoe, with Richard Manu also missing the target with a feeble shot in the 41st minute which was easily saved by Frank Addo. Goalkeeper Abdoulaye was called in the 43rd minute to save a dangerous situation when he came face to face with a shot from Richard Mpong.


On resumption of the second half, Kessben who still looked strong came close to scoring in the 49th minute but Abdoulaye stretched to brush the ball to corner with Kessben again wasting the chance. The continued attack of Kessben became a torn in the flesh of the Kotoko defence as they continued to pile pressure on Kotoko until Bekoe broke the deadlock in the 60th minute to the send the teeming fans of Kotoko into wild jubilation.


Kessben brought on Ransford Osei for Ahmed Toure and Bismark Idun for Baba Iddi in the 69th and 70h minute respectively while Kotoko also substituted Kwadwo Opoku for Arhin Duah in the 75th minute. Kessben exhausted their substitution with Enock Asare taking over from Asare Boateng in the 76th minute and nearly got the equaliser in the 81st minute but Mpong's shot went off target.