Kotoko Beat Miners To SWAG Cup

Asante Kotoko rallied from a goal down to claim the SWAG Cup after beating AshantiGold 2-1 at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday. The victory hands the Porcupine Warriors their 11th SWAG Cup success against the same opposition - AshantiGold had won the Cup three times and all at the expense of Kotoko - that pipped them to the trophy last year. The result however left the Miners livid as they contested a penalty awarded the Porcupine Warriors by Referee William Agbovi to draw level. Former Ghana international, Mohammed Gargo, taking charge of his first game at caretaker manager of AshantiGold saw his team jump into the lead after 29 minutes, courtesy a strike Alex Asamoah from a counter attack. Asante Kotoko threw more men forward for the equaliser but were frustrated as the Miners repelled their attacks. Then with a minute to end the first half, Asante Kotoko were awarded a penalty after Referee William Agbovi adjudged AshantiGold defender, Tony Baffoe to have upended Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, a decision which drew the fury of the Miners. Play was held up after as the AshantiGold team were ordered off the pitch protest. However, the Miners returned and Kotoko’s Francis Coffie stepped up to score the equalizer from the spot kick. The second half produced little thrills with players of both sides protesting at refereeing decisions. However, as time ticked, Francis Coffie was on hand to deliver victory for Kotoko when he scored in the 83rd minute past Fatau Duada in post for AshantiGold. Lots of cheers greeted the goal and as the game came to end, the Miners came off the field still riled by the 44th minute penalty decision that produced Kotoko’s equaliser.