Bibiani GoldStars head coach Frimpong Manso believes his side’s victory over Asante Kotoko in the opening fixture of the 2025 GHALCA Top 4 tournament will serve as a huge motivation for his players.
The Ghana Premier League champions stunned FA Cup holders Kotoko with a 2-1 comeback win at the University of Ghana Stadium on Wednesday night.
Kotoko opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Albert Amoah, but GoldStars quickly responded, with Samuel Attah Kumi converting a penalty to level the game before halftime. After the break, a costly back pass from defender Henry Ansu led to an own goal, handing the Miners a winning start to the competition.
Speaking after the match, Manso praised his players’ resilience against a side of Kotoko’s stature.
“It’s been good for us in terms of motivation because playing a team like Kotoko in your first game puts pressure on you. But once the players managed to deal with that, I believe they will grow in confidence for the next matches,” Manso said.
“For me, it’s not just about the win. I wanted to see how my players would respond on such a big occasion, and they showed character. Of course, there are still mistakes we need to correct, but overall, I’m impressed,” he added.
GoldStars will next face Hearts of Oak, who edged Heart of Lions 1-0 in the day’s second game. Meanwhile, Kotoko will look to bounce back against Lions in their upcoming fixture.
Both GoldStars and Kotoko are using the GHALCA Top 4 as part of their preparations for the CAF interclub competitions this season.
