By Dom Agbakpe,

Asante Kotoko pipped Hearts 2-0 in the first leg of the Super 2 clash at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday afternoon.

The Porcupines Warriors began the tie on front foot; dominated play and didn’t allow the Phobians to get into any kind of rhythm in opening minutes of the game.

Forward, Yacouba Songne almost puts Kotoko ahead on 36 minute after a decent piece of skill from Yeboah put Auguatine Sefa through who sent in a delicious cross but his connection was awful.

The Burkinabe import broke the deadlock and put the Porcupine Warriors infront on the stroke of half-time after goalkeeper Ernest Sowah couldn’t keep hold on to Prince Acquah’s strike.

Hearts of oak started the second period on a decent note; piled pressure on Kotoko in search for an equalizer but to no avail.

Yacouba Songne scored his brace and Kotoko’s second on 59 minute after he received a sumptuous pass inside the Heart’s box from midfielder Jordan Opoku.

On 57 minute, Hearts defender Robert Addo took an early shower after he received his second booking of the afternoon.

Kotoko nearly got a third goal late on in the game when Yacouba Songne managed to beat the offside trap and raced into the Hearts’ box but goalkeeper Ben Mensah was equal to the task.

The second leg will be played at the same venue on Sept 2.