Kotoko spank Liberty 4-0

Accra, Sept. 12, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko turned the heat on Liberty Professionals in style when they spanked them 4-0 in their week two Glo Premier League encounter on Sunday at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra.

The game was a major improvement on the part of the Porcupine Warriors who stumbled to a lone goal loss against Kessben in the season's opener last week at their home grounds in Kumasi.

The victory restored the confidence of the teeming fans of Kotoko whose spirit was shattered by the opening loss and for once they had something to cheer about.

Dansoman based Liberty who were without several of their key players showed much potential in the early stages but it was a false start as they failed to make major impact in attack.

Despite struggling to find their rhythm, Kotoko shot into the lead on 20 minutes against the run of play through Louis Agyemang, who headed home a glancing shot from Abdul Ganiyu Haruna's cross from the edge of the penalty area.

Liberty who beat Kotoko 3-0 in their previous meeting last season at the same venue, were visionless in attack this time round with petit midfielder Yakubu Aminu being their only brightest option upfront.

On the half-hour mark, Alex Asamoah who struggled to cope with play however atoned for this misses to score the second goal when he capitalized on a defensive mix-up by the Liberty rear, to run round Black Stars deputy goalie Daniel Adjei to shoot into a yawning net.

The tempo of the game died in the second half with both clubs playing as if there was nothing at stake.

Kotoko's coach Ebo Mends, who had been sitting on 'broken bottles' for the past few days, brought on Samuel Afum for Alex Asamoah on 49 minutes and five minutes, Afum paid for the confidence reposed in him by scoring the third goal.

It was enterprising Agyemang who put Afum through after beating a Liberty defender and Afum made no mistake by sliding the ball past onrushing Adjei for the ball to roll easily into the net.

Liberty exhausted their substitutions with the introduction of Daniel Adjin and Abubaka Sualla but their presence was little enough to aid their quest for even a consolation.

Midfielder Daniel Nii Adjei sealed victory for Kotoko in added-on time with a well-taken free-kick that left Adjei with no option.

The result serves the biggest by the Porcupine Warriors at the Ohene Djan Stadium in recent times.