Kotoko overcome Golden Kick scare to win 2024/25 MTN FA Cup
Kwame Opoku was the hero when Kumasi Asante Kotoko yesterday defeated gallant Golden Kick, a Division One League (DOL) side 2-1 to win the 2024/25 MTN FA Cup competition.
Opoku’s heroics fetched the 10th FA Cup gong for the Porcupine Warriors in an entertaining clash that kept fans on their feet for the grueling 90 minutes action.
Opoku headed in the first when Golden Kick appeared to be in control but they responded with a stunning equalizer from Bless Ege. When all pointed to extra time, Kotoko was awarded a penalty which Opoku converted.
The last time a DOL side won the competition, it witnessed a similar spectacle as Nania FC stretched the game to extra time before scoring the winner.
That piece of history dominated discussions ahead of the game as Golden Kick aimed to follow on that path and Kotoko vowed against a repeat.
In front of a charged atmosphere, both sides thrilled the fans with an all attacking plan that slightly went in favour of the more athletic Golden Kick side.
With their pace and chasing every ball, they frustrated Kotoko who struggled to control the game.
But Kotoko showed their character in the 18th minute when Opoku rose highest to head home a freekick from impressive full back, Lord Amoah.
However, Golden Kick’s solid midfield trio of Dacosta Owusu, Bless Ege and Joshua Fuseini kept pushing the team forward and in one of their forays, they were awarded a free kick in the Kotoko area.
Ege set the stadium alight with a spectacular kick that flew past the Kotoko defensive wall and beat goalkeeper Mohamed Camara for a deserved equalizer.
Golden Kick increased the tempo and threatened the Kotoko area several times and in the 42nd minute for instance, it took a huge intervention from keeper Camara to deny them a second.
The tempo was sustained in the second half with both sides creating some decent chances but failed to find the back of the net.
However, a late move saw Kotoko’s Emmanuel Antwi and Golden Kick goalkeeper Kelvin Kofi Saaba go in for a loose ball that saw Antwi go down after the challenge.
The referee pointed to the spot, attracting fierce protests from Golden Kick but when calm was restored, Opoku converted to earn the vital win for the Asanteman Warriors.
In a curtain-raiser for the match, the Asante Kotoko legends earned the bragging rights after beating their Hearts of Oak counterparts 2-1 in another entertaining encounter.
BY ANDREW NORTEYa
