Two own goals and a strike from Frederick Boateng handed C.K Akonnor his first victory as Asante Kotoko coach as Porcupine Warriors produced an excellent performance to defeat Burkina Faso side Save African Child F.C on Sunday evening.
This friendly victory is the 5th Kotoko has registered against top flight sides since the football season was stopped following the Anas expose.
Black Stars of Ghana defeated Kotoko by 3-0 on Friday.
Substitute Jordan Opuku was shown a red card in the 88th minute for what referee Maxwell Owusu saw as reckless challenge against a Save African Child player but it appeared the decision was harsh.
The match which was scheduled to kick off 3:00GMT was delayed for 50 minutes as the visitors failed to arrive at the Babayara stadium early.
Austin Uzo put the Burkinabe side ahead just three minutes into the first half as the striker benefited from a lack of communication from the Kotoko defence to lob the ball over goalkeeper Osei Kwame.
C.K Akonnor responded to the gauntlet thrown by Save African Child by doubling up in attack. Midfielder Stephen Nyarko was pushed to the left forward role to join Naby Keita Laye and Frederick Boateng in a 4-3-3 formation and the home side fetched the equalizer in the 21st minute through an own goal following an Agyemang Badu effort.
The fast improving Kotoko center back saw his strike deflected into goal after a corner kick was taken by Abass Mohammed.
Former Inter Allies striker Boateng, displaced from the first team by Songne Yacouba, needed nine minutes to put the home side ahead with a powerful shot as goalkeeper Frank Ernest pushed the ball into his net and the powerful center forward had a big game. Augustine Sefah, who started as captain of side as Amos Frimpong started from bench, assisted Boateng for the goal following a terrific forward run.
Mohammed Sylla, very animated today, saw his brilliant goal flagged offside in the second half but substitute Kwame Bonsu helped to make it 3-1 for Kotoko four minutes from time as his shot was deflected into the net by an opposition player.
Akonnor saluted his players but wants his team to improve in the area of defence.
“It was an improved performance as against the game against the Black Stars and I think the boys did well. You can see we created the chances like against the Black Stars the chances were there. Today was same we created the chances and that is good.” C.K Akonnor said in a post match presser.
“But we have to be better organized at the back. If you look at the goal we conceded it was due to a lack of concentration from our defence. ” he added.
Kotoko starting line-up:
GK Osei Kwame
Augustine Sefah. Agyemang Badu. Emmanuel Owusu. Abass Mohammed (Amos Frimpong 64th)
Mohammed Sylla (Jordan Opoku 85th). Richard Senanu (Kwame Bonsu 64th). Prince Acquah
Naby Keita Laye (Ibrahim Osman 75th). Frederick Boateng. Stephen Nyarkor
Referee: Maxwell Owusu