Asante Kotoko win pushes Kotoku Royals into relegation
After losing 1-3 to Asante Kotoko at the Dawu Park on Monday, Kotoku Royals formally announced their exit from the betPawa Ghana Premier League.
Kotoko forward Georges Mfegue Omgba scored twice in the first half, and midfielder Rocky Dwamena added a goal three minutes after the break to send Royals into the second-tier competition with no chance of surviving even if they win all of their remaining games.
Richard Dzikoe’s goal in the 36th minute may have made the score 2-1 and given the Royals a chance to mount a heroic comeback, but the Porcupine Warriors were simply too strong for the premiership rookies, who currently have 23 points after 31 games and are last in the standings.
With the win, Kotoko moved up to fourth place in the standings, six points behind Medeama SC in first place and behind Aduana Stars and Bechem United in second and third, respectively.
Royals, who earned a spot in the premier division this year, required a victory to give them a realistic chance of surviving. However, they encountered a resolute Kotoko team that relied on two goals from Omgba in rapid succession to establish their control and defeat their opponents by the 48th minute.
The Cameroonian attacker for Kotoko scored his first goal as early as the eighth minute by converting a Sarfo Taylor cross into the Royals net.
The Porcupine Warriors took a 2-0 lead after the visitors kept up their relentless attack and Taylor crossed the ball from midfield to an unmarked Omgba. Omgba controlled the ball with his right foot before launching a left-footed volley beyond goalkeeper Frank Boateng’s reach.
The Kotoku Royals would not give up, and their efforts were rewarded when midfielder Dzikoe headed the ball beyond Kotoko goalkeeper Moise Dássise Pouaty for his eighth goal of the year after midfielder Yakubu Hamidu Shaibu’s free kick flew into his path.
To finish their Premiership season, Royals have three more games against Bibiani Goldstars (on the road), Tamale City, and Karela United (both at home).
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