Striker Prince Arkoh struck twice and set up King Faisal to a 2-1 victory over city rivals Asante Kotoko in their opening MTN Top 4 competition at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last night.
Kotoko, fielding a blend of old guards and new recruits, appeared raw and Faisal, who exhibited flair and finesse, attacked them at will.
And the man who crafted their significant victory, coach Isaac Opeele Boateng, until recently the assistant coach of Kotoko, was carried shoulder high after referee Vivian Aggor ended proceedings.
After soaking up early pressure from Kotoko, Faisal appeared set for a remarkable victory when Enoch Ebo Andoh, Thomas Avegbedor and Prince Arkoh exploded.
On the 38th minute mark, Ebo Andoh, who had been roaming wide on the flanks, picked a ball on the right and floated it well into the Kotoko net.
Prince Arkoh, who picked his spot well trapped the ball with the chest and released a non-drop shot past the sprawling Sanni Mohammed in post for Kotoko.
The Kotoko defence of Iddrisu Yahaya, Godfred Fosu, Prince Anokye and Michael Boakye found it hard to contain the marauding Faisal attack, and Stephen Oduro was consistently forced to assist.
Kotoko looked better on restart when Alex Asamoah was brought on for the moribund Kwabina Yaro but again they had difficulties going past Awudu Nafiu and Daniel Addo at the back.
Former Faisal offensive midfielder Abdul Samad Oppong was also sent on for Stephen Manu and Oppong managed to haul a side back from the spot in the 70th minute after keeper Samuel Okyere fouled Alex Asamoah in the box.
But Faisal remained the aggressors pushing hard for the second, which came via the head of Prince Arko from a corner kick in the 75th minute
Defensive pillar Awudu Nafui was shown the red card in the 77th minute for a tackle but despite their downsizing Faisal held their own against Kotoko to carry the day.
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