A brace from Cameroonian striker, Franck Etouga Mbella earned league leaders Asante Kotoko a hard-fought 2-0 win over a resilient Dreams FC yesterday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, stretching their lead at the summit to 10 points in their matchday 18 Ghana Premier League (GPL) fixture.
After a cagey, goalless first-half, Etouga, the league’s top marksman, was in his elements when he superbly struck a penalty in the 72nd minute to hand the home side the opener before adding a second 10 minutes later to increase his goal tally to 13.
A 1-0 defeat by second-placed Bechem United at the Akoon Park to Medeama United meant Kotoko extended the lead with the league leaders moving to 40 points whilst Bechem United maintained their 30 points.
Winless in their last four meetings against the home side, the visitors showed eagerness to avert that fate in the early exchanges by appearing bold in their approach.
It nearly resulted in an early pay-off but forward Ali Huzaif, having meandered his way around the Kotoko backline, delivered a mild curler targeting the roof of the net but dragged wide.
From then on, it became a ding-dong affair as opportunities swung among both sides with the visitors successfully cutting the threats of Richmond Lamptey, George Mfegue and Franck Etouga.
There was a quickfire of opportunities bundled by both sides on the stroke of half-time.
Kotoko midfielder Justice Blay nearly gave Kotoko the opener after a move involving Mfegue and Etouga presented him with a clear sight on goal but he watched agonizingly as his shot was deflected to deny the opener.
Just after that, Dreams also had a glaring chance to head into the break with a lead but Agyenim Mensah, one-on-one with Danlad, found the Kotoko goalie difficult to beat.
Dreams began the second-half in similar fashion as the first, but the introduction of midfielder Richard Boadu, who replaced injured left-back Charles Owusu in the first-half and Mudasiru Salifu for forward Dickson Afoakwa, gradually tilted the game in favour of the homeside.
Etouga was adjudged to have been fouled in one of the raids as the homeside got desperate for the opener and converted brilliantly for the opener.
Ten minutes later, Etouga was on hand to lock the game for Kotoko, when he made good on his rebound, after his initial shot ricocheted off the goalpost.
BY NANA BENTSI ODURO
