Hearts of Oak have been crowned champions of the 2022 President’s Cup after defeating bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko on Friday evening.
The epic encounter organized by the Ghana League Clubs Association (Ghalca) was to honour President Akufo-Addo ahead of the independence day celebration on March 6, 2022.
The Phobians managed to tame the Porcupine Warriors by 2:1 at the Accra Sports Stadium with Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Patrick Razak scoring the two goals for the home team whilst Samuel Boateng had the consolation for Kotoko.
The game had in attendance some ministers of state, parliamentarians, officials of the Ghana Football Association, Ghalca, former footballers include Asamoah Gyan and other top government appointees, and was graced by President Akufo-Addo who did the trophy presentation.
The first half of the game was even as both sides didn’t create enough chances to find the back of the net.
Hearts of Oak had an opportunity to score in the 30th minute but Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim brilliantly punched out Isaac Mensah’s thunderbolt strike.
Kotoko defender Augustine Agyapong had sweet pass from George Mfegue inside Hearts of Oak penalty box but his strike went wide.
Kotoko left-back Imoro Ibrahim was shown the first yellow card of the game for a reckless tackle on Hearts midfielder Salim Adams.
Sulley Muntari nearly broke the virginity of the game in the 39th minute but his sumptuous free-kick which was some metres away from the Kotoko penalty box was beautifully saved by goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim.
Cameroonian attacker Frank Etouga Mbella had a half-chance in the Hearts of Oak penalty box but his feeble header was blocked by the Hearts of Oak defence.
The first half ended goalless with goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim doing the most of the saves ahead of Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Attah who wasn’t tested much in the first forty-five minutes.
Hearts of Oak returned from the break to get the opener kind courtesy a close-range effort from attacker Daniel Afriyie Barnieh in the 51st minute of the encounter.
Kotoko began to push for the equalizer with Sheriff Mohammed, Frank Etouga Mbella coming close but all to no avail.
The search for the equalizer continued until substitute Samuel Boateng in the 77th minute, just six minute after being introduced into the game.
Etouga stole the ball from a Hearts defender, pounced into the box, played a short pass to Boateng and the substitute with a low shot into the far bottom corner had the equalizer for the Porcupines.
As if the game was about to end in a one-all draw, Hearts of Oak winger Patrick Razak form nowhere had the match winner for the Phobians in the 88th minute of the game.
The win means that Hearts of Oak are now five times President’s Cup Champions, just three behind Asante Kotoko…
