Kumasi, Sept. 3, GNA - Kpando Hearts of Lions beat Kumasi Asante Kotoko 1-0 in the on-going MTN Top 4 competition, played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Wednesday.

The lone goal was scored by substitute Daniel Acquaye in the 78th minute, when he connected home a lob from Abraham Annang in a goalmouth melee.

Kotoko, who had won the competition on two occasions, has lost all the three matches played so far in the first round of the tournament. They had already lost to King Faisal and Hearts of Oak. Kotoko were determined to redeem their image was the first to go into serious action but Lions quickly took over the game, and with the Kokoto defence committing blunders, they mounted a series of attacks but could not find the leader.

Kotoko blending new and old players came into the picture and in the 27th minute, when Daniel Nii Adjei missed the post narrowly after receiving a pass from Mohammed Gado in the box.

Osei Kwame Junior's shot also hit the cross bar and bounced into play in the 33rd minute to end the half goalless. On resumption Kotoko brought on Francis Akwaffo for Nii Adjei in the 48th minute while Lions also brought in Kofi Nti Boakye for Charles Dwamena in the 53rd minute.

The changes went in favour of Kotoko who pinned their opponents to their vital area for the greater part of the half but could not translate any of the opportunities into goal. Sensing danger, lions replaced skipper Edmund Owusu-Ansah with Daniel Acquaye in the 62nd minute and he scored the only goal of the match.