Asante Kotoko added another glittering chapter to their storied history on Saturday, June 14, 2025, by securing their record 10th MTN FA Cup trophy. The Porcupine Warriors emerged victorious after a hard-fought 2-1 win over a determined Golden Kick FC in an exhilarating final held at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon.
From the opening whistle, both teams brought a palpable intensity to the pitch, signaling that this would be no ordinary cup final. The initial five minutes saw risky situations unfold at both ends, setting a high-octane tone for the encounter. The sheer physicality was immediately apparent, with an early heavy collision between Paul Yeboah of Golden Kick and Albert Amoah of Kotoko, though fortunately, both players recovered swiftly to continue the battle.
Golden Kick FC, the underdogs, nearly broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when a teasing ball from Joshua Fuseini found its way into the penalty area. Kotoko’s goalkeeper, Mohammed Camara, was alert and produced a deft stop to deny Dacosta Owusu a scoring opportunity.
Asante Kotoko responded with characteristic force. In the 17th minute, Lord Amoah made a powerful run down the right wing, earning a free kick for his side. He delivered a superb cross that found Joseph Ablorh at the far post. Ablorh then expertly headed the ball into the path of Kwame Opoku, who calmly tucked it away to give Kotoko a crucial 1-0 lead.
However, Golden Kick FC refused to be intimidated. They maintained their pressure and were duly rewarded in the 32nd minute. Bless Ege unleashed a magnificent long-range free kick that beat Camara, leveling the score at 1-1. This equalizer firmly established the underdogs as serious contenders in the final.
The second half saw both sides return with renewed focus and caution. An early misdirected header from Kotoko’s Henry Ansu almost gifted Fuseini a chance, but the Golden Kick striker couldn’t capitalize, sparing Kotoko from falling behind. Emmanuel Antwi’s introduction bolstered Kotoko’s midfield dominance, and his long pass in the 54th minute nearly set up Opoku for a second goal, only for the striker to be flagged offside.
Golden Kick mounted another threat in the dying moments of regular time. A deft ball from Ege found Fuseini, but Kotoko’s defenders managed to contain his delivery into the box effectively.
Then came the pivotal and most contentious moment of the match. In the final seconds of the game, a confrontation between Kwame Opoku and Golden Kick goalkeeper Kelvin Saaba led to a penalty award for Asante Kotoko. Despite vehement objections from Golden Kick players, the referee upheld the crucial ruling.
With the pressure immense, Kwame Opoku stepped up to the spot in the 90th minute and coolly converted the penalty, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for the Porcupine Warriors.
This hard-fought triumph not only secured Asante Kotoko their 10th MTN FA Cup title but also guaranteed them a coveted spot in the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup. The victory marks yet another significant milestone in the club’s illustrious and trophy-laden history.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
