GPL Roundup: Kotoko stretch lead with Medeama win, Bechem record 6th consecutive draw

Ghana Premier League table-toppers, Asante Kotoko stretched their lead at the summit to nine points with a 2-0 home win over third placed Medeama SC at the Akoon Park in a match-day 31 fixture on Sunday.

Andrew Appau opened the scoring for Kotoko when he headed in Ibrahim Imoro’s corner in the 23rd minute. Goal-King contender Franck Etouga Mbella doubled the lead of the Porcupine Warriors in the injury time of the first half to take his GPL goals tally to 20. The former AS Fortuna de Mfou attacker becomes the first player to score 20 GPL goals since 2013.

Kotoko finished the game with 10 men as midfielder Mudasiru Salifu, who assisted Etouga’s goal, was sent off following a second bookable offence.

The away triumph in Tarkwa ends Kotoko’s two games winless run, which came through the recent defeat to Berekum Chelsea and draw with Aduana Stars.

Etouga’s closest contender in the GPL Goal-King race, Yaw Annor struck a brace in the 27th and 89th minutes to clinch 19 GPL goals, as 10th placed AshantiGold was held to a 2-2 draw by Accra Lions at the Obuasi Len Clay.

Second placed Bechem United recorded their 6th successive stalemate and extended their winless run to 7 games, following a 1-1 away draw with demotion candidate WAFA. Bechem have not won a game since their 1-0 triumph against Great Olympics on April 4.

Berekum Chelsea relied on goals from Emmanuel Sarpong, Hanry Ainsu and Collins Ameyaw to climb three spots up to the 5th position on the log sheet with a comprehensive 3-0 home win over relegated Elmina Sharks at the Golden City Park.

King Faisal needed a 90th minute goal from Enoch Morrison to force out a 1-1 draw with Great Olympics at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, after Ibrahim Sulley had given the visitors the lead in the 25th minute.

In other games, midtable Legon Cities were held to a 1-1 draw by 11th placed Bibiani Gold Stars while RTU played out a 0-0 draw with Techiman Eleven Wonders in Tamale. Aduana Stars dropped one spot lower to the 6th position after recording a 0-0 draw with Dreams FC in Dormaa.

Altogether, 15 goals were recorded in the GPL on Sunday from 8 games played, with 1 home win, 1 away win and 6 stalemates.

Below is the current GPL Table: