A controversial penalty awarded by referee Selorm Bless Yao on the stroke of full time proved decisive for Kumasi Asante Kotoko to beat second tier side, Golden Kick FC 2-1 in this year’s MTN FA Cup final on Sunday at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon.
With the scores tied at 1-1 and the match seemingly heading into extra time, Kotoko initiated one last attack which took the ball into the Golden Kick ’18’ box, Kotoko hitman, Kwame Opoku attacked it after being put through one-on-one with goalkeeper Kelvin Kofi Saaba.
Kotoko beat Golden Kick 2-1 to win 2024/25 MTN FA Cup
The keeper appeared to have cleanly won the ball cleanly off the feet of the Kotoko striker, with referee Yao also appearing to wave it off. Drama was to unfold however when the centreman had a change of mind and pointed to the spot. Incensed Golden Kick players, officials and fans protested vehemently, holding up play for several munutes.
Eventually, they caved in and Opoku dusted himself to cleverly outwit keeper Saaba and put the Porcupine Warriors up deep into injury time, amid boos from the stands. Kotoko held for the rest of game to clinch their 10th FA Cup title and end Golden Kick’s sensational run in the 2024/25 tournament.
Determined not to be outsmarted by a lower tier side as Nania FC did back in the 2011 final, Kotoko started dominating possession right from the blast of the whistle to commence proceedings whiles Golde Kick resorted to counter attacks.
Golden Kick’s approach nearly paid off in the 14th minute when a quick counterattack ended in the clearest chance of the game but was thwarted in the ’16’ by the Kotoko keeper who needed medical attention following the clash with the attacker
Kotoko are 2024/25 MTN FA Cup champions
Few minutes later however, the Porcupine Warriors were on the attack again and this time it ended in a freekick on the far right corner. It was beautifully swung im by Lord Amoah which met the well-timed header of Joseph Ablorh and into a melee in the Golden Kick box. Kotoko hitman Kwame Opoku took advantage to nod it home during a goalmouth scramble to put the Kumasi side ahead.
Golden Kick were awoken by the deficit and quickly started asserting control over the game to put the Kotoko defence under siege. After coming close severally without success, the underdogs came back to life after winning a set piece just outside the Kotoko penalty box on the half hour mark. Tormentor in chief Bless Ege curled in a superb freekick which lighted the legon stadium for the equaliser to silence the large army of Kotoko fans.
The Division One League side nearly scored again in the 44th minute but again the Kotoko keeper stood the test as the half ended even.
After recess, the game remained balanced as Kotoko kept probing but met the stiff resistance of Golden Kick who occassionally launched attacks of their own. The Division One League Zone 3 side indeed dis start to tale control, maintaining compoure and majority possession as the minutes whittled down towards the end of regulation.
Kotoko players in ecstasy after beating Golden Kick to win 2024/25 MTN FA Cup
Kotoko had the best chance to score again in the dying embers when Kwame Opoku took the ball midway through Golden Kick territory into the penalty box before laying it on a plate for Peter Amidu Acquah but his placement missed the post by inches with goalkeeper Kelvin Kofi Saaba well beaten. A minute later a goalmouth scramble resulted in the ball at the feet of Kotoko skipper Gilbani Dongani Samba ballooned the ball over the bar.
Most thought the game was destined for extra time until Kwame Opoku’s dashing run into the Golden Kick box and clash with keeper Saaba which resulted in referee Yao’s controversial call settled the game.
You must be logged in to post a comment.