Ashantigold progressed to the final of the NC Special Tier 2 competition after they beat Asante Kotoko 3-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Naby Keita scored for Kotoko inside the first 2 minutes but goals from Yussif Mubarik and Emmanuel Owusu gave Ashantigold a 2-1 lead before half time. Mark Agyekum then secured the result with a powerful header in the second half to give the Miners a 3-1 win.
The game got off to a fiery start with both teams getting on the scoresheet with less than five minutes after kick off.
First, Kumasi Asante Kotoko got what they thought was a dream start when Naby Keita tapped in from close range inside the first two minutes to give CK Akonmor’s men the lead.
But Ashantigold responded almost immediately. Center back Yussif Mubarik rose highest to drive a powerful header into the net following Roland Amouzou’s delightful cross from the corner kick.
Kotoko captain Amos Frimpong limped off with an injury before Ashantigold shot into the lead on the half hour mark with a beautifully worked goal.
Shafiu Mumuni broke free from midfield and played in the overlapping Amouzou whose inviting cross over the top was connected first time by youngster Emmanuel Owusu with a lovely volley past Danlad.
Ashantigold went into the break deserving of their 2-1 lead and if anyone had any doubts they were the better side, they soon made sure after recess their dominance was made reflective on the score sheet.
Mark Agyekum’s powerful header made it 3-1 to the Miners just 10 minutes into the second half. Kotoko goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim injured himself in the process as he unsuccessfully challenged for Agyekum’s header and was replaced by Osei Kwame.
But the game was already won at that point and Ashantigold played for the result for the rest of the match.
It was a convincing display from Kjetil Zachariassen’s men and a fitting redemption following last week’s shock defeat to Karela United in the NC Special Tier 1 semi finals in Obuasi.
And for a team that trekked over 6 hours from Obuasi to Accra only 24 hours prior, their performance did not manifest a team suffering from fatigue.
Ashantigold will now face Nzema Kotoko in the final next week for a chance to represent the country in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup and a piece of silverware to end the season.
