Kumasi Asante Kotoko triumphed over rivals Accra Hearts of Oak to clinch victory in the inaugural Democracy Cup game, held on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The game was held to celebrate 30 years of Ghana’s parliamentary democracy and to promote peace and unity ahead of the December 2024 general elections. Before the main match between Hearts and Kotoko, a preliminary game featured Ghanaian Members of Parliament (Mp) and selected former Black Stars players. The MPs triumphed with a 3-1 victory.
Kumasi Asante Kotoko, before the game against Hearts of Oak yesterday, had parted ways with 23 players after placing 6th in the 2023/24 Ghana premier League season. The team had managed to recruit 6 new players in addition to their old squad before the big game yesterday.
Even with the absence of head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum, who was out due to a health condition, Asante Kotoko led by assistant Coach David Ocloo dominated the game from the onset.
Justice Blay converted a penalty to give Kotoko the lead in the first half after Peter Amidu was brought down in the box by defender Micheal Awuah Mensah. Kotoko went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
During the second half, both teams created goal-scoring opportunities but it was Accra Hearts of Oak that got the equalizer after newly signed player Asamoah Boateng Afriyie headed home to restore parity for the Phobia boys.
Just minutes after the Hearts of Oak equalizer, Kumasi Asante Kotoko made use of a defensive error from Hearts of Oak as Peter Amidu fired into the net to score the second for the Porcupine Warriors. The game ended with a 2-1 score in favour of Kotoko as they clinched the maiden edition of the Democracy Cup.
The win for Kumasi Asante Kotoko means they will get an opportunity to play DC United in the United States of America later this year. Kotoko’s Congolese defender Samba O’neil was awarded the man of the match award after his impressive performance against Hearts of Oak.
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Story by: David Kwaku Dzaku| univers.ug.edu.gh
