Asante Kotoko secured their 10th Ghana FA Cup title in dramatic fashion on Sunday, edging past a resilient Golden Kick side 2-1 at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra.
The victory, which included a brace from forward Kwame Opoku, was sealed in controversial circumstances, as a last-minute penalty proved to be the game’s defining moment.
This win moves Kotoko within striking distance of their arch-rivals, Hearts of Oak, who currently hold the record with 11 FA Cup triumphs.
In addition, the Porcupine Warriors have earned themselves a spot in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup, further solidifying their continental ambitions.
The match kicked off with an electric intensity, both sides eager to establish dominance from the very beginning. Within the first five minutes, both teams had already created several attacking opportunities, signaling the kind of high-paced contest that would unfold over the next 90 minutes.
An early incident between Golden Kick’s Albert Amoah and Kotoko’s Paul Yeboah briefly halted the action after a heavy collision, but both players were able to recover and continue, reflecting the physical nature of the encounter.
Golden Kick almost drew first blood in the 12th minute when Joshua Fuseini’s precise cutback found Dacosta Owusu in the penalty area. However, Kotoko goalkeeper Mohammed Camara was alert, diving to smother the ball and prevent a potentially dangerous situation.
Kotoko took the lead in the 23rd minute through a well-worked goal. Lord Amoah, formerly of Benab FC and Berekum Chelsea, was fouled after a surging run down the right wing.
From the resulting free kick, Amoah sent a pinpoint delivery to the far post, where Joseph Ablorh headed it back across goal. The ever-alert Kwame Opoku was on hand to guide it home from close range, giving the Porcupine Warriors the early advantage.
Golden Kick, undeterred by the early setback, continued to press forward and found their equalizer in the 32nd minute.
Midfielder Bless Ege unleashed a powerful, well-struck free kick from distance that sailed past Camara, drawing the teams level at 1-1 in spectacular fashion. The goal sent the Golden Kick fans into raptures and further heightened the drama of the final.
The second half saw both sides engage in a tactical battle, with each trying to wrest control of the midfield. Kotoko’s Emmanuel Antwi made a significant impact after coming on as a substitute, orchestrating play from deep and nearly assisting Opoku with a clever through ball in the 54th minute. However, the effort was ruled offside, and the score remained level.
Golden Kick, meanwhile, continued to show their attacking prowess. In the final ten minutes of normal time, they nearly took the lead when Bless Ege threaded a perfectly timed pass to Joshua Fuseini.
Fuseini’s shot, however, was denied by a crucial intervention from Joseph Ablorh, who cleared the danger and kept Kotoko’s hopes alive.
The match reached its peak in the 90th minute when the game’s defining moment arrived. Kwame Opoku collided with Golden Kick goalkeeper Kelvin Saaba in the penalty area, prompting referee Latif Adaari to point to the spot. The decision was met with fierce protests from the Golden Kick bench and fans, with many questioning the legitimacy of the penalty. Replays suggested minimal contact, fueling post-match debates about the fairness of the call.
Despite the controversy, Opoku showed composure under pressure, calmly converting the penalty to seal the victory and complete his brace. His second goal ensured Kotoko’s 2-1 triumph and secured their 10th FA Cup title.
With the win, Asante Kotoko not only claimed the coveted FA Cup trophy for the 10th time in their history but also earned a ticket to represent Ghana in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.
The victory adds another illustrious chapter to the club’s storied history and positions them as one of the top clubs on the continent.
The Porcupine Warriors’ fans will undoubtedly remember this victory for its dramatic twists and turns, with resilience and controversy both playing central roles in what was an unforgettable final.
As the dust settles, Kotoko will savor this historic triumph, knowing that they have now closed the gap on Hearts of Oak and will be aiming for even more silverware in the seasons to come. For Golden Kick, despite the heartache, their performance in the final showed that they are a side on the rise and can only build on this strong showing.
