Kotoko beat Bechem Chelsea to qualify for finals

Kumasi, April 14, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club on Sunday beat Bechem Chelsea 2 - 1 in the semi-finals to qualify for the finals of the Otumfuo Challenge Cup at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Kotoko by this feat will join city rivals, King Faisal Babies in the finals after they also whipped Secondi Eleven Wise 4 -1 in an earlier match.

The Porcupine Warriors began the match on a serious note and made series of incursions into the goal area of the Bechem lads which yielded dividends as midfielder Jordan Opoku shot his team into the lead in the fourth minute from a free-kick after Stephen Manu was brought down. Gingered by the early goal, Chelsea re-organised in midfield where they stringed their passes together and attacked in droves in search of the equaliser which did come their way in the seventh minute through Paul Aidoo who delivered a thunderbolt of a shot also from a freekick to beat a helpless goalkeeper Eric Nii Baah in posts for Kotoko. Kotoko lifted up their game and concentrated their attack on the flanks where Francis Coffie and Ofosu Amoah operated effectively to confuse the Chelsea defence.

In one of their incursions, Harrison Afful intercepted a pass and flicked the ball to Francis Akwaffo who delivered a pass to Stephen Manu to connect home for the winner in the 40th minute. In the second half, both teams became cautious in their approach to the game and made little effort at goal to end the match. 14 April 09