A raucous atmosphere was guaranteed for this one, with the home support out in their droves to watch their heroes beat their opponents.
Kalo Ouattara's goal gave Asante Kotoko a deserved 1-0 victory over Aduana Stars. Not only did the goal gave Kotoko bragging rights over their rivals, it also meant Kotoko would record their first home win of the season having previously drawn in games with Heart of Lions and Karela United.
Asante Kotoko are on the march. Emphatically. Officially. Undeniably. There is an energy and self-belief coursing through the veins of the Kumasi club right now.
It has encouraged hopes they can defy the odds and finish among the top four at least.
Below are four things we learned from the epic clash at Baba Yara.
Kotoko can offer more than this
If you were to look at the goal alone, this may not seem like an overly convincing performance from Kotoko. Ogum's men are certainly capable of more, but they were easily the better side and could have gone up a couple of gears had they needed to.
Andrews Ntim Manu and Richmond Lamptey controlled the tempo of the game in midfield, while Kalo Ouattara popped up menacingly between the lines and Peter Amidu Acquah and Georges Mfegues offered thrust out wide.
There was a good variety to their attacks, although they will probably have to raise their game against more organised side.
Dismal Mfegues Fails To Impress Again
As the deputy skipper of the side, Georges Mfegues has found himself a regular starter for the Porcupine Warriors in the recent outings, but the Cameroonian international need to show more attacking tendencies if he is to cement his spot in the starting X1. Too many times in the first half, he failed to make any meaningful impact in the attacking third.
Mfegues was hooked off by Ogum after the interval and it was fully deserved following a limp showing. His recent performances will certainly be of concern for Ogum and the Kotoko faithful who will be hoping the their star forward can be a key player this campaign but at the moment, his form doesn’t warrant a starting place for Kotoko.
Lamptey's impact on the game deteriorated as it went on
In the first -half, Lamptey, Manu and Sheriff were all helping Kotoko dominate the game and carve through the opponents, but the intensity slipped in the early minutes of the second half.
Ogum will want to eradicate that if possible. Richmond Lamptey may be viewed as little more than a squad player despite enjoying a good spell with the Porcupine Warriors.
Sheriff and Manu are better at linking the play and injecting energy, but Lamptey combines strength with close control and an impressive passing range.
He worked hard throughout, winning the ball and keeping the shape, but he didn’t take the game by the scruff of the neck, which he was expected to do.
Aduana not different from Accra Lions
The visitors did not seem to have any sort of discernible attacking game plan, with Bright Adjei and Isaac Mintah both anonymous for most of the encounter.
Kotoko ceded the initiative after the interval but were never unduly trobled by their opponents’ forays forward. It was same with same with Accra Lions on Monday.
