GPL Roundup: Kotoko lose to Chelsea, Bechem slips to third

Asante Kotoko suffered a painful 0-1 defeat, a third home loss of the Ghana Premier League season, to 10-man Berekum Chelsea at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi in a match-day 30 fixture on Sunday.

Striker Kelvin Obeng maintained his composure and struck past goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim in the 79th minute to record the match-winner despite being chased by two Kotoko defenders.

Kotoko’s two best chances of the second half fell to Etouga Mbella in the 71st minute but he rattled the post but the Cameroonian set up Richmond Lamptey in the 83rd minute, only for the ex-Inter Allies midfielder to miss from an open net.

Berekum Chelsea finished the game with ten men after striker Kofi Owusu, an ex-GPL Goalking, was sent off in the 65th minute for hitting Kotoko defender Christopher Nettey in the face. Despite the defeat, which cuts Kotoko’s lead to 6 points, the Porcupines have a game in hand against AshantiGold.

Elsewhere, Bechem United slipped to the third spot on the GPL table but remained unbeaten at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, as they recorded their fifth straight stalemate following a 0-0 draw with Legon Cities.

Bechem United lost the second spot to Medeama SC after the Tarkwa based side came back from a goal down on Saturday to secure a 1-2 away win at Great Olympics courtesy goals from Vincent Atinga and Kwadwo Asamoah in the 35th and 70th minutes respectively.

Troubled AshantiGold recovered from the recent worries of demotion from the GPL for match manipulation, to deepen the woes of bottom placed Elmina Sharks. The Obuasi based club secured a 1-3 away win at Sharks with goals from Derrick Atta Afriyie in the 15th minute, Ali Mohammed in the 70th minute and GPL Goalking contender Yaw Annor from the penalty spot in the 74th minute. Michel Sarpong scored Sharks consolation goal in the 19th minute.

Prince Opoku Agyemang and Emmanuel Appau registered their names on the score sheet in the 62nd and 72nd minutes to hand Bibiani Gold Stars a 2-0 home triumph over demotion threatened RTU.

Justus Torsutsey scored in the 37th minute to ensure relegation candidate WAFA, which occupies the 15th spot, held Dreams FC to a 1-1 draw in Dawu.

In the other games, Karela United shared the spoils with visiting King Faisal in a 1-1 draw while Accra Lions and Aduana Stars played out a goalless drawn game.