Kotoko, 3 others grab MTN FA Cup semifinal tickets
GHANA Premier League sides, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Berekum Chelsea, over the weekend booked their spots at the semifinal stage of the 2024-25 MTN FA Cup competition after quarter final matches were honoured in a football festival at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
With all quarter final matches staged at one venue over two days, Kotoko halted the impressive run of Division One League (DOL) side, True Democracy, with a 2-1 victory with a late kick off match on Sunday.
Saaka Dauda gave the Porcupine Warriors a 12th minute lead to set the stage for what fans expected could be a goal festival.
But True Demo hit back in the 62nd minute when Isaac Botchwey stunned the Porcupine Warriors with a free kick that deflected off the defensive wall into the net.
![Man United flop Antony our greatest-ever signing —Betis chief ANTONY gave a glimpse against Nottingham Forest as to why Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo believes the Manchester United flop might be "the most import¬ant signing" in the club's history. The 25-year-old has been reborn in Andalusia after an underwhelming stint at Old Trafford, where he failed to get anywhere near justifying the lofty fee paid to Ajax three years ago. Antony arrived for an eye-popping €95 million ($111.6m), plus a potential €5m in add-ons, but failed to consis¬tently impress and fell down the pecking order at United. The Brazil international sparkled after joining Betis on loan in January and made the move permanent after protracted talks brought a deadline-day switch for up to €25m. United included a clause that gives them 50% of any future deal for Antony, who followed a smart assist with a late goal to secure a 2-2 draw in Wednesday's Europa League opener against Forest. Betis sporting director Fajardo told the PA news agency: "I am 100% sure that maybe Antony is the most import¬ant signing in Betis' history. "Everything [about the signing] be¬cause the talent, the level of the player, the level of the club as Manchester United a big team, a big project, so I am 100% sure that Antony is the best signing in Betis' history." "In the first moment we spoke with Manchester United for Antony to stay in Betis one year more on loan. "But for Antony, for Manchester it was very, very important to recover the investment, so for Betis it was not easy. The move was so much for us. "But Manchester United made a big effort, Betis made a big effort, Antony made a big, big effort to play here again. Maybe in that situation that was the secret." Betis may not be able to compete with Premier League clubs' financial clout, but they boast talent that Fajardo hopes can see them to push for Europa League glory this season. "For Betis it is not easy to sign players from Premier League, because the dif¬ference in respect to the salary between the Premier League and LaLiga is too big," Fajardo added. "But when a player like Antony, for example, wants to come to Betis it's easier. "Antony only thought to play in Betis again, so when you have a negotiation with a big club in Manchester United, a club that paid a big amount for Antony, it's not easy. But the player wants to play in Betis."-ESPN](https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Antony-220x150.jpg)
But a late winner from Kwame Opoku restored Kotoko’s lead to snatch the ticket for the semifinal stage.
In an all Premier League clash, Berekum Chelsea defeated Bechem United 1-0 with a 30th minute strike from Stephen Amankonah to snatch the semifinal ticket.
For the Chelsea side that are out of the reckoning for league honours, it was business as usual as they featured a strong side for the game.
They showed that clear intent and were the first to threaten goal as Amankona drilled a fierce shot in the 10th minute which Aziz Adaari in post for Bechem United saved.
The next attack initiated by Amankonah ended at the back of the net as a second shot from inside the box beat Adaari this time for the only goal of the match.
Goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Ibrahim also emerged the hero for Attram De Visser as they came back from a goal down to win over PAC Academy on Saturday.
The goalkeeper, who came on as a 93rd-minute substitute, saved two penalties as Attram De Visser romped to a 4-3 win in the shootout, cruising to the semifinals of the competition.
PAC Academy took a deserved lead after a penalty was awarded them in the 63rd minute when Joseph Kojo Junior was fouled in the box. Captain Evans Sarfo scored from the spot.
But late into the game, Gabriel Matumassey broke PAC Academy’s hearts with a 93rd-minute equaliser with a great header.
In the shootouts, goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Ibrahim saved two from Samed Kyei and Bernard Asante, securing Attram De Visser’s 4-3 win in the shootout to secure their first semifinal in the history of the MTN FA Cup.
Golden Kick continued with their heroics in the competition as they chalked another feat over Premier League side, Karela United.
Coming from giant-killing feats over Hearts of Oak, they held Karela to a goalless encounter before winning 5-3 on penalties to book a semifinal place.
The semifinals matches have been scheduled for May 9-12 in Tarkwa with the grand finale set for June 14/15.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
