Asante Kotoko sent a strong warning to the other Ghana Premier League title contenders after thrashing Medeama 3-0 on Sunday to retain the Super Cup.

Goals from Seidu Bancey, Abeiku Ainooson and Yahaya Mohammed ensured the Porcupine Warriors avenged a painful defeat to Medeama in the final of the MTN FA Cup competition two months ago.

The Ghana Premier League champions enjoyed all the early possession but failed to make any serious incursions into their opponent’s half and were lucky not to have gone behind after just three minutes.

Defender Kwabena Edusei made an acrobatic clearance with Kabiru Moro waiting to pounce after Akwasi Donsu had sent in a delightful cross.

Striker Abdul Yusif Aziz then missed a great opportunity to edge Kotoko into the lead four minutes later having beaten the offside trap to latch onto a Michael Akuffu through ball.

But the ex Real Tamale United hitman, who was a one-on-one situation with Medeama goalkeeper Foli Adade, shot wide much to the dismay of the few fans gathered at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Chances became very scanty until Christopher Bonney, a bursting forward, went on the overlap to deliver a sumptuous cross in the 18th minute which was met by the head of Seidu Bancey.

But the striker’s connection was poor to spurn another glorious chance for the Porcupine Warriors.

Bancey later turned provided five minutes later with another delightful cross but diminutive Richard Mpong could not reach the ball.

Kotoko however opened the scoring on the 25th minute mark with a quick counter attack off a Medeama free kick.

Yusif was intelligently picked up by Michael Helegbe on the right whose initial driven shot across was palmed away by goalkeeper Adade but his defenders failed to react quickly as Bancey poked the ball home after Godfred Rockson had made another goal-line blocked.

New signing Ainooson then doubled Kotoko’s lead five minutes later after turning in Foli Adade’s half attempt to clear a Michael Helegbe corner kick.

The two quick goals gave Kotoko the confidence to boss the game afterwards as Medeama struggled to get themselves back into contention.

The frustration of the Mauve and Yellows was evidently manifested when Hans Kwofie was booked three minutes to recess for a needless charge on Akuffu.

Medeama coach Hans Van der Pluijm effected his first change on the stroke of half time by pulling out Bismark Oppong for Godbless Asamoah who didn’t get a kick of the ball before the whistle went for the break.

Kotoko started the second half much like they ended the first and should have extended their lead within a minute after the game’s restart.

Richard Mpong however failed to make a clean connection to a well-whipped in cross by Christoper Bonney under the challenge of Godfred Rockson.

Rockson again came in handy to clear an intended pass to Seidu Bancey – the stout striker could have been put clean on goal if not for the vital interception in the 50th minute.

The Medeama defence at this stage was leaking badly as Abeiku Ainooson went in for a cross unchallenged but failed to hit the target.

Yahaya Mohammed received a huge cheer on his Kotoko return after coming on as a 54th minute substitute for Seidu Bancey.

Kotoko coach Mas-Ud Dramani then brought on Prince Baffoe for Michael Helegbe for the remaining 25 minutes.

This changed was checkmated by the introduction of Kwame Boahene who came to replace Akwasi Donsu for Medeama.

The Mauves then recorded their first shot on target after Godbless Asamoah was denied by a beautiful save by goalkeeper Isaac Amoako in the 68th minute.

Adade then scored full marks for saving a Prince Baffoe pile driver while Yahaya Mohammed failed to bury the rebound as his shot cannoned off the crossbar and out in the 70th minute.

Edusei was moments later booked for giving away a needless free kick but Medeama failed to make good use of the set piece.

Midfielder Mohammed then put the icing on the cake by getting Kotoko’s third in the 78th minute after weaving his way through the thick Medeama defence to slam the ball into the net – giving goalkeeper Adade absolutely no chance.

The stadium was up again cheering not for a goal but rather the introduction of their favourite Stephen Oduro who came on for Yusif for the dying seven minutes of the game – Oduro’s first touch which took him neatly away from a tackle saw the cheer got even louder.