Kumasi, June 21, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko, the league leaders on Saturday inflicted a 2-1 defeat on relegation threatened Tema Real Sportive in their Onetouch Premier League match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. The first half ended 1-1 with Kotoko scoring first in the 15th minute through Kwadwo Poku against the run of play when he delivered a low grounder to beat John Adjetey in goal for Sportive. Sportive accepted the challenge and raised their game with speed and inter- positional passes which yielded the equalizer for them in the 19th minute when in a defensive blunder Richard Armah headed home from Fuseini Nuhu's lob.

Playing before an almost empty stadium with a few of their die-hard supporters, Kotoko worked hard for the leader but Kwabena Yaro whose performance was not impressive squandered a chance after he failed to connect a perfect pass from Poku in the 31st minute. Sportive injected fresh blood into the game when they substituted injured Nuhu in the 32nd minute with Isaac Boakye and nearly took the lead but the chance that came in the 37th minute was wasted with Kotoko also wasting an opportunity two minutes later.

Kotoko brought on Nana Arhin Duah and Stephen Oduro for injured Poku and Francis Coffie in the 46th respectively and this brought a total transformation with Oduro spearheading their attack. The changes paid well for Kotoko as they took the lead in the 53rd minute through Kwabena Yaro when this time round he headed home to the blind side of goalkeeper Adjetey from a calculated cross from Oduro from the left flank.

Sportive who saw defeat staring at them brought on Yunus Kamil for Seth Opare in the 62nd minute but this could not stop the offensive attack of Kotoko who continued to pile pressure on the visitors. The visitors however recovered and made series of incursions but the defence of Kotoko stood gallantly till referee Vivian Argo whistled to bring proceedings to an end. Jordan Opoku of Kotoko was adjudged man of the match.