Asante Kotoko recorded their second win of the season with a narrow 1-0 win over Aduana Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium in the opening fixture of GPL match-day five.
Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum named a strong line up that comprises of goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim in post, an attacker of George Mfegue, Richmond Lamptey and Kalo Ouattara.
Justice Blay was out of the squad due to unknown reasons. Also, coach Yaw Acheampong maintained the starting XI he used against Berekum Chelsea last week, with only a change that's Bright Adjei coming on for Justus Torsutsey.
The Porcupine Warriors with an explosive start to the game and earned themselves the first corner kick of the game in just five minutes from kicks after Acquah Amidu went in with a goal-bound strike but was blocked.
However, the 'Ogya' lads looked really calm at the start in the opening minutes, knowing very well how tough their recent visits to Kumasi has been.
On the 22nd minute, the home fans will scream buoyantly in an appeal for what they think should have been a penalty after Amidu Acquah's strike looked like coming off the hand of Rich Sackey but the referee waved play on.
Finally, Kotoko snatched the opener after 34 minutes and who else? Kalo Ouattara who jumped high over everyone in the box to connect into the net with a towering header Richmond Lamptey's cross from the right to grab his second of the season.
Aduana Stars with an incursions five minutes on, after Bright Adjei put Emmanuel Gyamfi through with a decent pass but a timely intervention from Danlad Ibrahim rescued the situation for the host.
In the second half, the resumed was on a good note and as both teams took the game at each other excitingly resulting into even exchanges in the early stages.
Isaac Mintah came so close to getting the leveller but Nurudeen Mohammed made himself big to block the effort. Few minutes on, Danlad Ibrahim pulled another pulled another huge stop to deny Adjei the equalizer.
Acquah Amidu on the 73rd minute came so close to doubling their lead but his decent strike was tipped off brilliantly by Yaw Ansah to a wasted corner kick.
It finished 1-0 for the Porcupine Warriors who have now climbed up to the second position with eight points.
