Kotoko and Bayelsa United on the summit of their respective leagues

Bayelsa United and Asante Kotoko moved top of their respective leagues in Nigeria and Ghana after the weekend matches.

The two sides were unscathed with lone goal victories in the biggest games in their leagues; Bayelsa United toppled Enyimba in the top of the table clash in Yenogoa whilst Kotoko nicked one past archrivals Hearts of Oak in the biggest game of the first halve of the Ghana elite division away in Accra.

Striker Uche Ihuarulam scored the only goal of the match on 18 minutes to send Bayelsa to the top with 55 points from 33 games.

With five matches to go in the Nigerian League, El Kanemi Warriors closed the gap at the point to one thanks to a lone goal win over mid-placed Gombe United. Hassan Hussein netted the winner for El Kanemi.

Defending champions Kano Pillars also moved to third place on 54 points after beating Warri Wolves 2-0 in Kano.

Following their defeat to Bayelsa, Enyimba have dropped to fourth place with 52 points, four more than fifth place Enugu Rangers.

In Ghana’s capital, Accra, a first half screamer from Seidu Bancey settled the scores in the Ghana’s version of the El-Clasico. The victory ensures the Porcupine Warriors remain the only club in the league with a 100-percent record.

Despite picking the maximum points, Kotoko trainer Mas-Ud Dramani insists the Phobians were lucky to have lost by a just a goal.

“My players were tactical all through.  We kept varying tactics in the game and it paid off. The scoreline could have been bigger because we created a lot of decent chances. Hearts was lucky not to have conceded any of those chances,” he said.

Kotoko, seeking for a hat-trick of league titles rests at the summit of the league log with six points from two games.

In other matches, AshantiGold beat Liberty Professionals 2-0 in the mining town of Obuasi whilst All Stars humbled New Edubiase 2-0 up north in Wa.

Newcomers Inter Allies could not survive at Dormaa falling 1-2 to former champions, Aduana Stars whilst Amidaus Professionals also beat Berekum Chelsea 2-0 in Tema.

Medeama were held to a 1-1 draw by Bechem United just as King Faisal and Heart of Lions share honours in a barren draw in Kumasi.