Kumasi, May 17, GNA - Visiting Kpando Heart of Lions on Sunday inflicted a painful 1-0 defeat on embattled Kumasi Asante Kotoko F/C in their 19th Week Glo Premier League encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Expectations were high among players and supporters of Kotoko before the match, especially following the dissolution of the Sylvester Asare-Owusu-led management team at the week-end It was however Lions who seized control of the match in the initial stages and nearly stunned the home team in the third minute but Ibrahim Suleiman's shot at goal missed target narrowly.

Suleiman, however, made amends in the 12th minute by converting his chance following a counter-attack that saw winger Kofi Boakye send a beautiful pass to the striker to tap home for the only goal of the match.

In the second half, Kotoko massed up in attack in search of the equalizer but Alex Asamoah, Stephen Manu and Jordan Opoku missed the numerous chances that came their way.

In the 87th minute, Asamoah should have levelled up for the Porcupine Warriors but his connection from a Samuel Inkoom's cross hit the side net to end the match with Kotoko as the vanquished side.