Steve Pollack won his first league match as Asante Kotoko head coach beating Tema Youth by 1-0 at the Tema Park on Sunday.
The Englishman masterminded the Porcupine Warriors first win in over month as well as end Tema Youth’s unbeaten run at home thanks to a solitary goal by Baba Mahama, his second goal in a kotoko shirt as he scored debut in the victory against Proud United in the MTN FA Cup last weekend.
Tema Youth should have led the first half after creating a host of opportunities but they were highly profligate letting Kotoko off the hook several times.
The second department was a sharp contrast of the first. The Tema-based side were second best and it was no surprise Kotoko took the lead through Baba Mahama.
Baba sent home a sublime touch from the edge of the box after a corner kick taken by Emmanuel Gymafi. The corner kick was initially headed away by a Tema Youth defender. Before the ball could go out of the goal area completely, Baba Mahama stopped it.
He beautifully placed it into the net with his right foot leaving Tema Youth’s goalkeeper, Stephen Kwaku sprawling on the on the artificial turf. The goal gave the dominant Kotoko fans at the Park great relief while serving as a deserved reward for the Porcupines, whose relentless fight for victory was evident from the beginning.
Kotoko have moved up to fifth while Tema Youth are now in the drop zone following the result.