RTU defeat Gold Stars 5-1 in Tamale as Kuka nets a treble

Real Tamale United (RTU) secured a convincing 5-1 win over Bibiani Gold Stars at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale on Sunday afternoon. Goals from Abdul Manaf Umar and Stephen Badu on either side of Issah Kuka’s treble secured the much-needed three points for the Northern Blues.

Manaf Umar opened the scoring at the half-hour mark of the game before Stephen Badu earned a penalty after he was tripped by the Gold Stars goalkeeper. Issah Kuka stepped up and made it count as RTU went two up with five minutes to the break.

Soon after the break, Bibiani Gold Stars signal their intention to fight back with a goal in the 48th minute. That did not, however, force a successful comeback as Kuka got his double in the 60th minute. The striker got his treble two minutes later as he completed an all-round performance in attack.

With 10 minutes left in regulation time, Stephen Badu added his name to the scoresheet as he made it five for the Northern Blues and ending any hopes of a Gold Stars miraculous fightback.

The win leaves RTU 10th on the table with 35 points, three points behind Gold Stars who stay 6th on the table. Real Tamale United will travel away from home next Saturday to engage strugglers Kotoku Royals while Gold Stars will welcome Berekum Chelsea a day later.