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Asante Kotoko striker Franck Etouga Mbella insists he is not eager to win the Ghana Premier League Goalking Award despite leading the Top Scorer’s chart after 27 match-days.

The 20-year-old increased his tally to 18 goals in 23 GPL games on Saturday, when he struck past WAFA goalkeeper Osei Kwadwo Bonsu in the 64th minute after receiving an incisive pass from his Kotoko team-mate Andrews Kwadwo Appau. The attacker emerged as the Man-of-the-Match.

The former AS Fortuna de Mfou goal-monger has so far scored 11 goals from open play, with the other 7 coming from the penalty spot. And, he credits his goals record to the combined effort and support of his team-mates and the Kotoko technical team.

“I’m very happy. (The 18 goals I’ve scored) was based on the work of all the players and the technical team. My team-mates work hard. The goalking is my second objective. My first objective is to get Kotoko to win games but if more goals come, I will score and take it (Goalking Award),” Etouga told Startimes in a post-match interview.

With 7 games left to end the GPL season, the Cameroonian import is now 6 goals ahead of his ahead of his closest contenders – Bright Adjei of Aduana Stars, Yaw Annor of AshGold and Bechem United’s Augustine Okrah, who are all tied on 12 goals on the Top Scorer’s chart.

Asante Kotoko Coach Prosper Ogum has expressed pity for WAFA despite ending their two-game winless run with a slender 0-1 triumph over the Sogakope based club.

Ogum joined the Porcupine Warriors as replacement for Mariano Barreto after spending two seasons at WAFA, where he led them to a 10th place finish in his first season and a 3rd place finish in his second season.

The former Ebusua Dwarfs and Elmina Sharks trainer was recently under pressure to grind results at Kotoko following two successive Ghana Premier League defeats to RTU in Tamale and Legon Cities in Kumasi, but explains he has mixed feelings after sinking his former club further into the demotion zone.

“Mixed feelings. I’m happy we’ve won. We are coming from the backdrop of two losses – RTU and Legon Cities but if you look at the defeat, its sending the team that made me who I am and in coaching down the relegation zone,” Coach Ogum told Startimes in a post-match interview.

“So, playing in such matches, sometimes the feeling is not that complete because you are sinking the person who made you become who you are. But, as a professional, I always behave in a professional manner, making sure that when it’s business, it’s business,” he added.

Cameroonian import Franck Etouga Mbella scored the match-winner to ensure Kotoko won their first ever game at WAFA in 7 attempts. The victory stretches Kotoko’s lead on the GPL table to 55 points while 26 points rich WAFA remained in the 17th spot, with 7 matches to end the season.

Asante Kotoko bounced back to winning ways with a narrow 0-1 away win at relegation threatened WAFA in a Ghana Premier League match-day 27 fixture in Sogakope on Saturday.

After a barren first half, Kotoko kept the chase on for an opener until striker Franck Etouga Mbella grabbed the match-winner in the 64th minute to deepen the woes of WAFA at their own back yard.

The Cameroonian goal monger kept his composure despite a chase from WAFA’s Henry Oware and managed to dummy goalkeeper Osei Kwadwo Bonsu to slot in the ball.

The second half goal was Etouga’s 18 of the season as he endeavours to win the GPL Goalking ahead of his closest contenders – Bright Adjei of Aduana Stars, Yaw Annor of AshGold and Bechem United’s Augustine Okrah, who are all tied on 12 goals on the Top Scorer’s chart.

The vital away triumph extends Kotoko’s lead on the GPL table to 55 points, ten points ahead of second placed Bechem United, who will be in action against King Faisal in Kumasi on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Great Olympics climbed 2 spots up to the 5th position with a hard-fought 0-0 at demotion candidates Techiman Eleven Wonders on Saturday.

WAFA had gone 8 games without a home defeat in the league to Asante Kotoko but Cameroonian striker Franck Etouga ended the streak with a second half goal.

Watch highlights of the game;

WAFA had gone 8 games without a home defeat in the league to Asante Kotoko but Cameroonian striker Franck Etouga ended the streak with a second half goal.

Prosper Narteh Ogum’s men dominated the game from start to the end as they inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the home side.

Asante Kotoko took the lead in the 64th minute through Etouga who slotted home after rounding goalkeeper Osei Bonsu.

Mudasiru’s long-range effort saw goalkeeper Osei Bonsu saving it for a corner kick early in the first half after he had been set up by Etouga.

Asante Kotoko dominated the first half and ended the break goalless.

Danlad Ibrahim came up with a brilliant save to deny WAFA in the 78th minute following a strike from Marvin Owusu.

The win is Kotoko first-ever in the Ghana Premier League since 2006.

More to follow…

Franck Mbella Etouga has netted his 18th goal of the season against WAFA at the Red Bull Arena in Sogakope.

The striker latched on a through ball and dribble past the WAFA goalkeeper to give the Porcupines the needed lead.Etouga kept his composure to defy the defender, rounded the keeper and slotted that ball home.

Watch the goal below:

Asante Kotoko head coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum has named his men for the Premier League clash against WAFA SC this afternoon in a Premier League matchday 27 fixture.

The Reds visit the Academy lads at the Red Bull Arena with Ogum making three changes to his squad that lost to Legon Cities last weekend.

Danlad Ibrahim starts in post with Nettey and Charles Owusu who replaces Imoro starting from the right and left side of defense respectively. Appau maintains his place and will partner Yusif Mubarik.

Sheriff Mohammed keeps his place in midfield and will partner Mudasiru Salifu who comes in for suspended Richard Boadu and Fabio Gama in a three-man midfield.

The attack will see Georges Mfegue operating from the right side with Stephen Amankona taking the place of Dickson Afoakwa on the left with Mbella Etouga leading the lines.

Asante Kotoko line up;

Ibrahim Danlad (GK), Christopher Nettey, Charles Owusu, Andrews Appau, Mubarik Yussif, Sherrif Mohammed, Stephen Amankona, Mudasiru Salifu, Franck Etouga, Fabio Gama, Georges Mfegue.