Kotoko fall to RTU in Tamale

Tamale, June 4, GNA - Real Tamale United (RTU) on Wednesday impressively played their hearts out to snatch the three maximum points from visiting Kumasi Asante Kotoko when they defeated them with a lone goal in their Onetouch outstanding Premier League match played on Wednesday at the Tamale Sports stadium.

Right from the referee's whistle it was the Pride of the North who exhibited a first class soccer to the admiration of their teeming fans and supporters as they wondered why such skills were not exhibited in their matches against visiting Kpando Heart of Lions who disgraced them a fortnight ago with 4-0 thrashing and a draw against Tema Youth later in the week.

The sense of maturity and skilful play exhibited by RTU was just a delight to watch but such skills and well composure of the lads was not enough to be translated into goals throughout the first department of the game as it ended goalless.

Kabiru Imoro however set the packed stadium ablaze in the 49th minute with a tantalizing opener to leave the 'Porcupine Warriors' at bay while the stadium erupted in unison to cheer RTU on for more goals. Charles Kipo in post for RTU managed to stand between Kotoko and victory as he made splendid saves to ensure that no goal entered his net for any equaliser.

There was a superstitious drama in the stadium when a crow perched for about 27 minutes on the cross bar of RTU's goal posts when the players were returning from recess to start the second half.

The bird, which flew round the goal area of RTU before it went straight to perch on the cross bar stayed on and after four minutes RTU scored their goal to the amusement of the fans.

Isaac Anderson of Kotoko who thought the bird was thwarting their efforts at equalising decided to sack the bird, which refused to fly away until his third attempt.

The superstition became obvious when in three minutes later after Anderson sacked the bird he had to pay the price by receiving a red card after he fouled an RTU player.

Some analysts and mystery believers however said RTU would have scored two goals if the bird was not driven away to indicate that the second goal was substituted with Anderson's expulsion. All efforts by RTU to increase the tally and Kotoko to equalise proved futile until Class One referee P. K. Aziza from Tema whistled to bring proceedings to an end to send the Tamale township into wild jubilation for the victory.