ASANTE KOTOKO 1-2 FC SAMARTEX
By Our Football Correspondent
THE “Timber Giants” of Samreboi pulled off the heist of the season at the Baba Yara Stadium, proving they are no longer just the new kids on the block but the new kings of the jungle. In a clash that had to be finished under the morning sun after a Kumasi deluge forced a Monday night postponement, FC Samartex chopped down the mighty Asante Kotoko 2-1 to leave the Porcupine Warriors feeling the prick of defeat.
If Monday was about the rain, Tuesday was all about the reign of Samartex’s rising stars.
The visitors showed no signs of “morning-after” sluggishness. After the first half ended goalless amidst the puddles, Samartex emerged for the final 45 minutes with a clinical edge that silenced the Kumasi faithful.
The breakthrough came via a moment of pure predatory instinct from their top marksman, Emmanuel Mamah. The 20-year-old sensation, who has been the talk of the league this season, pounced on a defensive lapse to fire the visitors ahead.
Kotoko, desperate to protect their turf, threw everything forward, but they found a human wall in Samartex’s captain and defensive rock, Kofi Agbesimah. The centre-back put in a masterclass of positioning, thwarting wave after wave of Kotoko attacks.
The mountain became even steeper for the hosts when Samartex doubled their lead. Christian Agyenim Boateng, the tricky right-winger with a wand of a foot, danced through the Kotoko backline before delivering a hammer blow that made it 2-0.
The Porcupines did manage a late response to set up a grandstand finish. After Ndongani Samba Gilbani saw his initial penalty effort saved, the rebound fell kindly for Albert Amoah. The striker made no mistake, tucking the ball home to give Kotoko a lifeline.
However, it was too little, too late. Samartex goalkeeper Kofi Baah pulled off a string of acrobatic saves in the dying embers to ensure the points headed back to Samreboi. For Kotoko, it’s a bitter pill to swallow on home soil; for Samartex, it’s a result that screams they are the real deal.
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