Asante Kotoko staged a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat arch-rivals Hearts of Oak 2-1 and lift the 2025 GHALCA President’s Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
In a fiercely contested match laced with controversy, errors, and late drama, the Porcupine Warriors extended their unbeaten run against Hearts to six games—showcasing grit and composure under pressure.
Hearts drew first blood through Hamza Issah, who pounced on a costly error by Kotoko goalkeeper Mohamed Camara to hand the Phobians a deserved lead before halftime, after a dominant first-half display.
Kotoko, however, turned the tide in the second half. A defensive mix-up saw Konadu Yiadom accidentally deflect a cross into his own net for the equaliser.
Just minutes later, Kwame Opoku capitalised on more poor defending to calmly slot home and give Kotoko the lead.
Hearts thought they had levelled in the dying minutes, but the goal was ruled out for offside, sparking unrest in the stands as agitated fans hurled objects onto the pitch.
Emmanuel Amankwah then squandered a golden chance to send the game into penalties, missing from the spot..
Sunday’s victory marked Asante Kotoko’s ninth President’s Cup title, having previously won the competition in 1973, 1984, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2019, and now 2025.
Hearts of Oak follow as the second most successful club in the competition’s history, with six titles.
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Story by Pius Asack|univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
