Kotoko Beat Karela In Dramatic Penalty Shoot-Out To Emerge NC Tier One Champions

 

By:brightwebtv.com /nana asare barimah

Asante Kotoko have been crowned the champions of the Normalization Special Tier One Cup after defeating Karela United on penalties.

The Porcupine Warriors came from a goal down to draw 1-1 to send the game into penalties after Emmanuel Osei Baffour gave Kalera United the lead after 50 minutes with a curling shot from inside the penalty box.

But Kotoko fought back and equalized from the spot through Abdul Fatawu Safiu after a player was brought down inside the box.

In the 83rd minute, captain Amos Frimpong squandered a glorious opportunity to put Kotoko in the lead.

Six minutes later, the versatile defender put the ball at the back of the net but it was disallowed by the referee who claimed there was a handball in the build up to the goal.

As the game entered the final 20 minutes, Coach CK Akonnor introduced talisman, Songne Yacouba while Karela also introduced goalkeeper Nii Kalala in the final minutes of the game before the penalty kicks started.

Ismail Abdul Ganiyu took the first kick for Kotoko and scored but Karela’s opener- a panenka from Patrick Yeboah-hit the upright.

Daniel Darkwah then made it two for Kotoko before goalkeeper Kwame Osei palmed out Ampem Dacosta’s kick.

Soon it was 3-0 for Kotoko with Fatawu making it three-nil. Agyeman Yeboah scored for Kalera. Naby Keita converted the fourth spot kick to ensure Kotoko won 4-1 on penalties.

Asante Kotoko will now represent Ghana in the CAF Champions League next season.