Goalkeeper Mohammed Camara incredibly saved four penalty kicks to help Asante Kotoko beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-3 via penalty shootouts to win the 2025 Toyota Cup in what was a very entertaining game at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
It was a goalless draw in regulation time in Durban but the heroics of the lanky Guinean goalie conjured the magic for the ‘Kum Apem’ lads to emerge winners.
Coach Karim Zito named a very strong line-up for the game, comprising goalkeeper Mohammed Camara, new captain Samba O’Neil, Kwame Opoku and also included two new signings Lord Adabo and Seth Kwadwo, as they headed in with nothing but a winning mindset.
Both teams started well but Kotoko had to struggle a little at the start due to the slippery nature of the pitch.
In the 14th minute, the Porcupine Warriors came so close to scoring after Kwame Opoku was picked up with a very good cross but he headed wide at a close range for a goal-kick.
The game stayed balanced as both teams didn’t trouble each other that much leaving a very boring and scoreless first half of the game.
Back from recess, Asante Kotoko bounced back stronger and were given a free kick and corner kick in a minute but couldn’t turn any into a goal in the early stages of the second half.
The Amakhosi responded strongly and piled so much pressure on the Reds as Shinga earlier had his cross saved by Mohammed Camara and few moments later, Tshabalala had his ambitious hit from way out went off the crossbar.
Tshabalala picked up Lilepo with a sweet mirror pass which obviously was a goal-bound opportunity but a great slide clearance from Patrick Asiedu rescued Asante Kotoko in the 69th minute of the game.
The homesters were finally awarded a penalty in the final seven minutes of the game after Pule Mmodi was pulled down in the box. Captain Inacio Miguel elected himself for the kick but struck wide for a goal-kick after targeting the bottom corner.
There was no goal produced after full time as the game headed to penalty shootouts where goalkeeper Mohammed Camara saved four kicks to win the Toyota Cup for Asante Kotoko.
