Asante Kotoko earned a controversial qualification for the round 16 MTN FA Cup following a scrappy 2-0 victory over lower tier side, Accelerat8z fc in Kumasi on Sunday in the round 32 encounter.
Accelerat8z fc showed character in both halves despite currently playing their football in Ghana’s second division. The Porcupine Warriors however shot themselves ahead four minutes to end the first half when Saaka Dauda was controversially brought down in the goal area after he was put through by Joseph Ablorh.
Kwame Opoku left the Accelera8 goalkeeper transfixed with a perfectly taken penalty kick for Kotoko’s first goal of the afternoon on the 42nd minute mark. The solitary goal separated the two sides moving into the first half break with the lower tier side looking better than their senior most Premier League side.
Back for second half, Accelerat8z put a better performance yet again, stringing passes together almost to perfection but were undone by inexperience in front of goal. Goalkeeper Henry Agyemang came to the rescue of Accelerat8z in the 78th minute when he lunged into the goal post in the process of saving Kwame Ansu’s thumping header from Kotoko’s corner kick.
With eight minutes of added time to play, Asante Kotoko doubled their lead with a goal from Henry Ansu which proved to be a better cushioning. The score line remained the same with Asante Kotoko running away with a 2-0 win and a qualification to the Round of 16 of the competition.
Elsewhere, record FA Cup holders Hearts of Oak collected a comfortable 3-0 victory over second tier side Home Stars at the Legon Sports Stadium on Sunday. Goals from Mawuli Wayo, Enoch Asubonteng and Kwabena Boateng Afriyie sent the millennium champions into the Round of 16.
Round of 32 Results
Friday January 10
Attram de Visser 3-1 Kotoku Shining Stars
Saturday January 11
Northern City 3-3 Wa Power (5-4 PK)
Dormaa Unity 0-0 Liberty Youth (2-4 PK)
Accra Lions 0-0 Nania (3-5 PK)
Golden Kick 2-2 Danbort (5-4 PK)
Sunday January 12
Debibi 1-1 Berekum Chelsea (2-4 PK)
Bechem United 1-0 Nations FC
Basake Holy Stars 0-1 Gold Stars
Dwarfs 1-1 Eleven Wise (3-4 PK)
True Democracy 1-0 Dreams FC
Karela 4-1 FT Exponential
Nsuopong Fidelity 1-1 Medeama (2-4 PK)
Nsoatreman 1-1 Young Apostles (3-4 PK)
PAC Academy 2-1 King Faisal
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