Asante Kotoko are the 2025 champions of the President Cup after beating arch rivals Hearts of Oak by 1-2 in what was an exciting game at the Ohene Gyan Stadium.
Both teams made a good start and it was the ‘Phobians’ who made the first incursion after Osei Asibey went long to set up Hamza Issah upfield but Mohammed Camara comes off his line to have it checked.
Quick response from the Reds few moments later after Albert Amoah was put through with a great cross from Lord Amoah but the former was flagged off for an offside.
Kwame Opoku in the 12th minute mark, nearly scored from a defensive clanger after stealing from Konadu Yiadom in opposition territory but struck wide off target.
The Rainbow Club looked much improved with their high pressing having put so much pressure on Kotoko resulting into a free kick and two corner kicks in the 20th minute but couldn’t score from any.
Just three minutes later, Hearts of Oak finally opened the scoring account courtesy Hamza Issah- who nipped on a huge howler from goalkeeper Mohammed Camara to struck from a close range.
With four minutes to half-time, Albert Amoah came so close to leveling the score after flooring Emmanuel Amankwah to cut in from the left but his ambitious hit was blocked hugely by Kelvin Osei Asibey - who was celebrated by his teammates for that stop.
In the second half, Hearts of Oak bounces back well and recorded two shots from Hussein Mohammed and Hamza but all went wide for a goalkick.
Five minutes later, Emmanuel Antwi came so close to getting the equalizer but his well-taken free kick went off the crossbar, fell kindly for Albert Amoah but struck wide from a close range.
Just a moment later, Peter Acquah Amidu brilliantly went past Emmanuel Amankwah to send in a cross which Konadu Yiadom headed into his own net to draw Asante Kotoko back on level terms in the 51st minute.
Just a minute after leveling the score, Kotoko scored again through Kwame Opoku to go ahead for the first time in the game.
The Rainbow Club with an attack in the 65th minute after Raphael Amponsah put Hamza Issah through with a great pass but a great clearance from fallen Zackaria Fuseini rescued Kotoko from that situation.
Hearts of Oak kept on chasing the game having made series of incursions, Ransford Mensah was set up at the edge of the box but blasted wide
In the 76th minute, Hearts of Oak found the back of the net courtesy Stephen Appiah Asare but the assistant line had his flag up for an offside.
Hearts of Oak were awarded a penalty in the 81st minute after a ball went off Zackaria’s hand in the box. Emmanuel Amankwah stepped up and had his poor kick saved by Mohammed Camara.
It finished 2-1 after full time as Asante Kotoko clinch the President Cup for the ninth time in their history
