Premier League: Kotoko edge Hearts in an absorbing century derby
Asante Kotoko defeated Hearts of Oak 2-1 at the Baba Yara stadium in a game that showcased the best and worst of Ghanaian club football as both sides chase a first league title in four years.
Goals tell you what happened. The noise in the Baba Yara upper stand tells you what it meant.nnAsante Kotoko defeated Hearts of Oak 2-1 on Sunday in a Ghana Premier League match that at times resembled what a top-quality derby should look like and at other times descended into the frantic, compressed chaos that is both the frustration and the charm of Ghanaian club football.nnEmmanuel Gyamfi opened the scoring with a composed finish in the 23rd minute after a flowing passing move that started with goalkeeper Razak Abalora and ended with a low cross that Gyamfi read earlier than his marker. It was, for ten minutes, a sign that Kotoko were playing the kind of football coach Prosper Nartey has been building towards.nnHearts equalised against the run of play. Daniel Afriyie, their Tanzanian striker, converted a penalty after a foul that replays suggested was questionable, but the referee’s decision stood. The Accra fans in the away section found a new energy.nnThe winner came from an unlikely source: left back Justice Blay, whose long-range strike in the 73rd minute deflected off the shoulder of Hearts defender Raddy Ovouka and looped into the far corner. Whether it counts as a goal or a mishap may depend on your allegiance.nnKotoko now sit three points clear at the top of the table with eleven matches remaining. Hearts are fourth, two points off second place.nnMan of the match was a reasonable debate. Kotoko’s Gyamfi had the most direct impact on goals. Hearts’ midfielder Suraj Seidu ran more ground and won more duels than anyone on the pitch.
