Asante Kotoko emerged victorious in a dramatic President’s Cup clash against their eternal rivals, Hearts of Oak, securing a hard-fought 2-1 win that added yet another chapter to their rich history of dominance in the competition.
The match, which was fiercely contested from start to finish, came alive in the second half. Kotoko drew level through a stroke of misfortune for Hearts when defender Konadu Yiadom inadvertently headed Peter Amidu Acquah’s threatening cross into his net. The equalizer stunned the Hearts faithful and reignited Kotoko’s fighting spirit.
Just minutes later, Kotoko completed the turnaround. Kwame Opoku pounced on a defensive blunder and calmly finished to put Kotoko in front in the 53rd minute. The goal proved to be decisive, but the drama was far from over.
Hearts of Oak thought they had snatched a late equalizer, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The decision infuriated the Hearts players and fans, leading to heated protests on the pitch and in the stands. Still determined, Hearts pressed forward and earned a penalty that could have changed the story of the game.
However, Emmanuel Amankwah’s spot kick was superbly saved by Kotoko goalkeeper Camara, who became the hero of the moment with his crucial intervention. The miss shattered Hearts’ hopes and further deflated their late surge.
Kotoko’s Kwame Opoku later had a golden chance to seal the win when Albert Amoah delivered a precise low cross into the box, but Opoku failed to connect, allowing Hearts a glimmer of hope. Yet despite their late pushes, Hearts could not find the back of the net.
The victory not only extended Kotoko’s unbeaten streak against Hearts in their last six President’s Cup meetings but also earned them a record ninth title in the history of the competition, stretching from their first triumph in 1973 to this most recent success in 2025.
Hearts of Oak, who have six President’s Cup titles to their name, were left heartbroken by missed opportunities and crucial errors in a match that will surely linger in the memory of their supporters.
Kotoko’s resilience, clinical moments, and tactical discipline once again proved the difference, as they lifted the trophy and cemented their place as the most successful club in the President’s Cup’s illustrious history.
