Kumasi Asante Kotoko's hope of putting back the smiles on the faces of their fans after their dismal performances in recent times, received a severe jolt as they were pipped 1-0 by Tema Youth in their Onetouch Premier league match at the Tema Sports Stadium on Wednesday.

It took Tema Youth only 20 minutes to hand the debacle to the two times African champions when Gado Mohammed capitalized on a mistake by Kotoko's Murtala Mohammed to plant the ball at the blind side of keeper Mohammed Alhassan.

Determined to win the match at all cost, Kotoko, who were beaten twice by Hearts of Oak, accepted the challenge and nearly found the net five minutes later but Tema Youth's goalkeeper Ernest Sowah parried John Cudjoe's strike to a corner-kick which was wasted. Sowah, who was crowned the best player of the match, was once again called into action to save a terrific shot delivered by Nana Arhin Duah in the 56th minute.

Tema Youth nearly increased their goal tally in the 67th minute but Ekow Benson messed up the chance.

Kotoko launched an onslaught in the dying minutes of the game in an effort to redeem their image by shooting from all angles, but try as they did they failed to find the net as they found it difficult to penetrate though the iron-clad defence of the home side. The Tema lads and their supporters threw themselves into a wild state of jubilation after Refereee T.K. Aggrey whistled for the end of the proceedings as they maintained their unbeaten home record.