Swedru All Blacks secured their Ghana Premier League status in dramatic fashion after overturning a first-half deficit to defeat Asante Kotoko 2-1 at the Baba Yara Stadium on the final day of the 2025/26 season.
With their survival hanging in the balance, the visitors arrived in Kumasi knowing that three points would guarantee another season in the top flight. They responded with a resilient performance to achieve exactly that.
Kotoko appeared to be on course for victory when Clement Tutu inadvertently turned the ball into his own net shortly before the break, giving the Porcupine Warriors a 1-0 lead and leaving All Blacks facing the prospect of relegation.
The visitors emerged from the interval with renewed determination and quickly turned the contest around. Rudolf Mensah restored parity in the 57th minute before Williams Dankwah completed the comeback 11 minutes later with the decisive goal.
Kotoko were handed a lifeline in the closing stages when the referee pointed to the spot, but captain Samba O’Neil failed to convert the penalty, allowing All Blacks to preserve their lead and spark jubilant celebrations at full-time.
The victory completed a remarkable escape for the Swedru-based club, who entered the final round of fixtures under immense pressure but delivered when it mattered most.
For Asante Kotoko, the defeat summed up a frustrating campaign. The Porcupine Warriors finished outside the league’s top positions and ended the season without silverware.
The campaign was also marked by instability in the dugout, with coaching changes and inconsistent performances preventing the club from mounting a sustained challenge at the top of the table.
While Kotoko will look to regroup ahead of next season, Swedru All Blacks can celebrate a memorable triumph that secured their place among Ghana’s elite for another year.
