GPL: Kotoko Close In On Top Spot

Kumasi Asante Kotoko secured an important 1-0 victory over Tema Youth at the Baba Yara Stadium yesterday to stay their title chase on course. Bulky striker Nafiu Idrissu struck superbly in the 32nd minute to secure the points for his side to move within a point of league leaders Medeama and also consigned the Tema side in the relegation zone. A sweeping Kotoko counter-attack saw defender Ben Adama breaking down the left to cross for Nafiu who tucked in a neat finish past keeper Kofi Mensah. The response from the Tema lads was fierce with Francis Narh and Moses Ojer staging a siege in the Kotoko area but Burkinabe international goalie, Abdoulaye Soulama, made some brilliant stops to save his side. As early as the first minute, David Ofei thumped the post with a pile driver, the stadium rising to the occasion with thunderous applause. It was a real wake-up call to Tema Youth and they responded albeit unsuccessfully in the eighth minute with Narh getting on with the last touch of the ball from a stormy action in the Kotoko area. After the break, Tema Youth went on a recovery mission early but the Kotoko defence, with Ohene Brenya and Kofi Agyare in fine form, kept them at bay. Both sides made substitutions in the second half in a bid to up their game but it appeared getting the ball in the post was always an impossibility.