A hat-trick from Cameroonian import, Frank Etouga, enabled Kumasi Asante Kotoko to stretch their lead on the league table after humbling Obuasi AshGold 3-1 in the week 12 of the Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, yesterday.
Fresh from a historic 2-0 away win against Aduana Stars at Dormaa, Kotoko looked too strong for the Miners, especially in the second half of the regional derby.
Both sides began in earnest but it was the Miners who appeared to be dominating possession that could have seen them grabbing the opener.
Speedster Seth Osei ghosted away from his markers and beautifully set up Yaw Annor whose drive hit the post in the 23rd minute to the relief of the hosts.
That woke up the Reds who pushed forward with their two Cameroonian imports – George Mfegue and Frank Etouga, leading the onslaughts, but their efforts in the 30th and 32nd minutes respectively, were saved by keeper Dennis Votere, ending the half.
On resumption, the Reds re-started tentatively in possession and were awarded a penalty when referee Eric Sefa Antwi punished skipper Richard Osei Agyemang for propelling the ball with his hand in the 54th minute during a goal-mouth melee. And, Frank Etouga connected the spot-kick.
On the 66th minute mark, Etouga increased the tally after beautifully weaving through a forest of legs, displaced keeper Dennis Votere before slotting home the second.
Five minutes on, Etouga made it 3-0 after connecting Ibrahim Imoro’s corner-kick to register his first hat-trick for the Porcupine Warriors.
AshGold made some changes that saw substitute Elijah Addai hitting the back of the net in the 84th minute to reduce the tally.
But there were some wasteful finishing from Mohammed Ali in particular – as he spurned several excellent opportunities, robbing the visitors as they poured forward to cancel the lead.
FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, KUMASI
