Olympics stun league leaders Kotoko

Accra, June 18, GNA - Struggling Great Olympics produced a "shocker of the season" performance to beat Onetouch Premier League leaders Kumasi Asante Kotoko 2-0 in their Week 26 clash on Wednesday in pursuance of their battle against relegation.

First half goals from defender Samuel Laryea and Tanko Mohammed were enough to land the 'Wonder Club' lads their first successive win of the 26 Week old premiership.

For once, Kotoko appeared ordinary in the clash which pitched the aspiring league champions and the bottom-placed club together, much to the dismay of their disgruntled few fans who thronged the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra.

After a 5-0 drubbing during the first leg, Kotoko was expected by many to complete a double over Olympics who only revived their hopes of staying in the top flight with a 1-0 win over Zaytuna last week, but it was never so.

As early as the second minute, Olympics took the lead through Laryea who connected a rebound after Kotoko's goalie Isaac Amoako fumbled in an aerial challenge with Olympics' Labaran Deen. The goal was greeted with protest from players of Kotoko but their protest was only rewarded with a yellow card to striker Kojo Poku by Hohoe-based referee, Emmanuel Modey for dissent.

After the goal Kotoko began to launch raids into the half of their hosts in search of the equalizer but the likes of Emmanuel Osei Kuffour and Poku blasted wide as if there was nothing at stake. Olympics who had the better of the exchanges were gifted an opportunity to double the lead on the half hour mark, but Tanko Mohammed's shot from a Labaran pass missed target by inches. Nine minutes later, Mohammed atoned for his earlier miss with a cheeky header from a goal mouth scramble for Olympics' second goal. Olympics coach Eric Ofori introduced Paa Joe Kumah for Labaran in the second half, but the former made a mess of another chance just two minutes after coming on.

Kotoko lifted up their game but were never a threat at goal. In the 71st minute, substitute Nana Arhin Duah after meandering his way through the Olympics defence put Poku through but the striker surprisingly headed wide with only goalkeeper Olympics goalie Ben Mensah to beat.

Three minutes later, Poku who was the lone man upfront saw his goal bound effort parried away by keeper Mensah who resorted to delay tactics in the closing stages of the game to maintain their sweet victory with "feigned" injuries.

The game became a balanced affair before referee Modey brought proceedings to an end. Olympics' Michael Ocansey was voted the most valuable player of the game.