Nafiu Iddrisu's first half strike was all that Asante Kotoko required to overcome a resilient visiting Tema Youth 1-0 in their Glo-Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Wednesday.
Nafiu, who was unmarked, trapped a Ben Adama cross and let go a thunderbolt which beat advancing goalkeeper Kofi Mensah to ensure victory for the Porcupine Warriors.
It was a match Kotoko needed to win at all cost, and just a minute into the game they came close to scoring but David Offei�s shot at goal missed target narrowly.
Tema Youth, having let off the hook at that early stage, marshaled more men in midfield and resorted to counter-attacks to keep the slippery Kotoko attack at bay.
Moses Odjer on two occasions tried to stun the homers with some well-taken long shots but his attempts at goal missed the target narrowly in the 18th and 22 minutes.
As the visitors warmed into the game, the Porcupine Warriors unsettled them with Iddrisu's strike.
With action reduced to midfield from recess, Kotoko�s Aziz Yussif nearly increased the tally in 71st minutes, but for brave goalkeeping by Mensah. Tema Youth�s Kenneth Owusu also wasted a glorious opportunity on the stroke of time.
<<Print>>