Asante Kotoko suffered 1-0 defeat to Medeama on the second matchday of Ghana’s Normalisation Committee Special Competition played in Tarkwa on Thursday, with the Porcupine Warriors’ former striker Kwame Boateng scoring the only goal of the meeting.
Coach Akonnor and his charges had a dream start to the Special Competition last weekend when they claimed a 1-0 win over Aduana Stars in Kumasi.
With almost the same squad paraded in Tarkwa, Kotoko held their own despite early domination by the home side.
Defender Abass Mohammed, who was the hero on Sunday for scoring Kotoko’s goal against Aduana, turned a villain on Thursday when he blocked a goal-bound effort with his hand right in the box to gift the hosts a penalty. He was also sent off, condemning the visitors to play the remainder of the game with a man less.
Kwame Boateng, who had two separate spells at Kotoko (2010-2011, 2016-2017) successfully converted the spot kick to hand his side the lead in the 35th minute.
Despite their numerical disadvantage the Porcupines fought for an equaliser, as Medeama held on to conserve their slim lead through to full-time.
The win puts Medeama ahead of Kotoko in Zone B standings, but the Mauves and Yellows would claim the top spot if they win their game against Berekum Chelsea.
Medeama face the Stallions FC on Sunday while Kotoko take on Eleven Wonders in Techiman.
