Asante Kotoko came from behind to snatch a dramatic 2-1 victory over Accra Hearts of Oak and lift the 2025 GHALCA President’s Cup in a pulsating clash befitting Ghana’s fiercest football rivalry, with President John Mahama watching from the stands at the Accra Sports Stadium yesterday.
Two goals in as many minutes early in the second half turned the tide for Kotoko after Hearts had dominated the opening period.
But it was goalkeeper Mohammed Camara who sealed the win in heroic fashion, saving a late penalty to deny the Phobians an equaliser in a fiery showdown that had everything — goals, controversy, and raw emotion.
Hearts struck first through in-form striker Hamza Issah, and for the opening 45 minutes, it looked as though the President’s Cup was theirs to lose before a fairly large crowd.
But the script flipped spectacularly after the break as Kotoko struck twice in quick succession before surviving a frenzied onslaught, culminating in Camara’s nerve-shredding penalty save in the 83rd minute.
The match kicked off in front of a buzzing stadium after President Mahama, performing the ceremonial kickoff, inspected both teams.
And from the first whistle by referee Reginald Collins Amoah, Hearts flew out of the blocks with intent. Just three minutes in, the crowd roared as Mawuli Wayo threatened to break through, only for Kotoko’s Camara to race off his line and smother the danger.
Kotoko responded moments later with a move down the right, but striker Albert Amoah strayed offside before the cross came in. A nervy start gave way to a tense midfield battle, but the Phobians always looked the more menacing going forward.
Hearts strike first
The Phobians’ dominance paid off in the 23rd minute. A hopeful cross from the right was poorly punched by Camara straight into the path of the lurking Issah, who gleefully tucked the ball home to send the Accra faithful into raptures.
Hearts had their tails up and had their opponents’ back against the wall. A relentless wave of attacks followed, with Wayo tormenting Kotoko’s backline.
Captain Samba earned the game’s first booking for dragging down Issah on the edge of the box as the Phobians camped in their rivals’ half.
Kotoko’s frustrations mounted.
The first half ended with both sides forced into substitutions — Yaya Adramani replacing the injured Wayo for Hearts, and Hubert Gyau coming on for Patrick Asiedu for Kotoko.
Kotoko’s swift turnaround
Following a high-voltage halftime performance by music icon Shatta Wale, Hearts made a surprising change, replacing captain Osei Assibey— arguably their best player in the first half — a decision that raised eyebrows and would soon haunt them.
Kotoko came out firing. Emmanuel Antwi rattled the crossbar with a stunning free-kick on 51 minutes, a warning of what was to come.
Two minutes later, Peter Aminu Acquah danced down the left, cut inside from an acute angle and rifled home the equaliser — a superb solo effort that shifted momentum dramatically.
Hearts barely had time to recover when disaster struck. A defensive blunder gifted the ball to Albert Amoah, who teed up Kwame Opoku to slot home and complete a breathtaking turnaround.
Penalty Drama
The drama was far from over. Under the guidance of new coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, Hearts thought they had equalised in the 76th minute, but their goal was ruled offside — a decision that incensed the home crowd. Objects were hurled onto the pitch in protest, forcing a brief stoppage as tempers boiled over.
When play resumed, Hearts surged forward and were awarded a penalty after a Kotoko defender handled the ball under pressure.
But in a moment that will be etched in this rivalry’s history, Camara guessed right and saved Abdul Aziz’s spot kick, sending the Kotoko end into delirium.
Despite five minutes of added time and wave after wave of late pressure, Hearts could not find a way past the resolute Porcupine Warriors, who held on for yet another famous win on enemy turf.
At full-time, it was Kotoko’s players and fans celebrating wildly as President Mahama presented the President’s Cup to captain Baba Mahama, capping a glorious afternoon for the Porcupine Warriors who have beaten their fiercest rivals in all competitions this season.
