The Phobians won the cup and three additional points, bringing them even with Kotoko on 31 points thanks to Konadu Yiadom’s second-half header.
Slavko Matic, the coach of Hearts, was not on the Phobians’ bench after several fans chased him away due to the team’s recent bad results.
Following their absence from the previous game against Great Britain due to injury, Caleb Amankwah and Amankwah Baafi were named to the starting lineup by assistant coach David Ocloo.
The game had an exciting beginning with excellent chances for both teams.
Winger for Hearts of Oak Benjamin Yorke came close to giving his team the lead, but Augustine Agyapong cleared the ball off the line.
Moreover, Kotoko’s Stephen Mukwala had a wonderful chance to take the lead but disappointingly missed from close range.
Early opportunities for both teams stirred the crowd and created a spirited environment.
With a quarter of the game played, Kotoko goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim made two saves to stop Benjamin Yorke.
Around Kotoko’s technical area, things turned violent halfway through the first half.
Referee Aduntera Jacob, however, ensured that both teams received some yellow cards in order to maintain order.
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Richmond Lamptey and Enoch Morrison both attempted goals for Asante Kotoko as the first half came to a close.
Against all odds, Linda Mtange came close to giving Hearts the lead, but Danlad’s save kept the scoreless at the interval.
Both teams were vying for the first goal, making the second half equally as frantic as the first.
In the 57th minute, Yiadom gave the Phobians the lead with a powerful header off of a Mtange cross.
Following that, Kotoko was aggressive in their pursuit of the equalizer.
Sherif Mohammed nearly brought the Porcupine Warriors even, but his header hit the post in the 85th minute.
Late in the second-half stoppage time, Asante Kotoko made a significant penalty claim, but the referee Aduntera Jacob decided it was a fair tackle, and Hearts managed to hold on to win the match.
The Phobians celebrated their victory in style as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was the Guest of Honor, graciously delivered the cup to them.
Source: GNA