Asante Kotoko won the first Democracy Cup on Wednesday night at the Accra Sports Stadium after a dramatic match against their bitter rivals, Hearts of Oak. Ghana celebrated 30 years of parliamentary democracy with the game.
Along with prestige, the win got Asante Kotoko a ticket to play Major League Soccer team DC United in the United States on a date to be disclosed by the organizers.
Before the 2024–2025 season, both teams were keen to win back the trust of their supporters following a dismal season.
In the thirty-minute mark, Asante Kotoko took the lead thanks to a penalty kick that Justice Blay converted. At halftime, the Porcupine Warriors were still ahead 1-0.
Asamoah Boateng Afriyie, a recent addition to Hearts of Oak, scored a header to tie the score after the break. Given that Kotoko’s goalie Frederick Asare was hurt in the process, the goal was contentious.
But Kotoko took the lead back when Peter Amidu took advantage of a Hearts of Oak mistake on defense, winning 2-1 for the Kumasi-based team.
Asante Kotoko’s confidence is greatly boosted by this victory as they get ready for the next season. Hearts of Oak, meantime, are still having trouble and need to find answers soon in order to improve their situation.
