The Cameroonian striker bagged his second hat-trick of the season to help Kotoko recover from their shocking defeat in mid-week and widen the gap at the top of the Premier League
Asante Kotoko defeated debutants Accra Lions 3-1 on matchday seventeen of Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Saturday thanks to a hat-trick by Cameroonian striker Etuoga Mbella Frank Thierry.
Kotoko came into the game on the back of a shocking 2-1 away defeat to Elmina Sharks and coach Prosper Ogum Narteh made three changes in his starting line up.
Defender Imoro Ibrahim and Georges Mfegue were ruled out due to suspension while Mudasiru Salifu sit out of the game due to ill health.
As a result, Samuel Boateng, Justice Blay and Patrick Asmah were brought in to full the void.
Frank Etuoga Mbella opened the scoring for Kotoko after just five minutes following a poor goalkeeping by the Lions shot-stopper.
Mbella doubled Kotoko’s advantage by the 44th minute through a penalty after he was brought down in the Lions box. The Cameroonian striker stepped forward and calmly slotted in his tenth goal of the season.
Although, Kotoko looked certain to go into the break with a two-goal advantage, Justice Blay committed a foul in Kotoko’s box and Kevin Kyei pulled one back
Kotoko continued from where they left after the break and came very close to adding another goal to their tally.
After several failed attempts, Mbella found an opening on the 84th minute to score Kotoko’s third goal of the day and complete his hat-trick.
Kotoko have now opened a six-point gap at the top between them and Bechem United as they lead the log with 36 points and still have one outstanding game against Hearts of Oak.
That game has been scheduled to take place on February 20 at the Accra Sports Stadium