Dauda Mohammed hit a brilliant hat-trick as Asante Kotoko recorded a 4-2 victory over Techiman city in a thrilling Ghana Premier League match played on Sunday.
The Porcupines thanks to their prodigy striker finished the first round of the campaign on the high note at the expense of Techiman who gave a good account of themselves.
After Match day 14 slump at WA against All Stars, Kotoko had to respond positively and they did by putting up a brilliant show to the delight of fans present at the Baba Yara stadium.
City coach Yusif Abubakar did not show up on the bench following a tiff with the fans after their 1-1 draw with AshantiGold at home.
The Porcupines declared their intentions from the blast of referee Kennedy Padi's whistle, winning a corner kick from their first attack in the first minute and midfielder Stephen Nyarko hitting a brilliant strike against cross bar six minutes later.
The pressure eventually paid off in the 18th minute as striker Dauda Mohammed converted a spot kick awarded to Kotoko after former striker Stephen Manu had handled the ball in the box.
Kotoko did not relent after the goal. They pressed well and were rewarded with the second barely two minutes after with Dauda Mohammed scoring a brace.
The Black Satellites striker capitalised on a careless mistake by the visitors goalkeeper Richmond Ayi to hand Kotoko a commanding lead in the first half.
The second half started from where it left off in the first, with Kotoko scoring a third in the 46th minute.
Dauda Mohammed dazzled before hitting a sumptuous strike to register his first hat trick of the season.
The citizens, however, fought back and got a consolation goal through Baba Mahama who headed in a brilliant cross.
But Kotoko restored their three-goal lead just two minutes after Techiman had scored courtesy Edwin Tuffour Frimpong. The defender rose high to connect a brilliant cross.
The sixth and final goal of the game was scored by Emmanuel Agyapong of Techiman to reduce the deficit to two.
Irrespective of the victory Kotoko finish the first department of the campaign third with 26 points, two points adrift leaders All Stars and a place above rivals Hearts of Oak.