Asante Kotoko have emerged as the winners of the 2019 President’s Cup after beating bitterest rival Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.
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Kofi Kordzi’ opener was not enough for the Phobians as they were succumbed to a 2:1 defeat by Kotoko courtesy an own goal from Mohammed Alhassan and Naby Keita’ stunner.
Kotoko opened the floodgate in the early minutes of the encounter with Songne Yacouba and Augustine Okrah coming close to the opener.
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In the 9th minute, striker Songne Yacouba nearly broke the virginity of the game, as he latched on to Patrick Yeboah’s inswinger into the goal area but his back-heel connection was grabbed by Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Attah.
Referee Alphonso, in the 34th minute, whistled for a penalty in favor of Hearts of Oak as defender Ampem Dacosta was judged to have handled the ball in a tackle on Kofi Kordzi.
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Kofi Kordzi converted the spot kick beautifully in the 36th minute to wind the Phobians to the lead at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Patrick Yeboah went to another tackle in the 40+1 minute from the left and released a left-footed cross which Hearts of Oak defender Mohammed Alhassan mistakenly connected the ball into his own net.
The first half ended 1:1 with both teams enjoying enough possession.
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The second half begun with coach Maxwell Konadu making his first substitution as he replaced Collins Ameyaw with Naby Keita in the 58th minute of the match.
Guinea international Naby Keita in the 64th minute fed on Patrick Yeboah’s cross into the goal area to head the ball beyond goalkeeper Richard Attah to enable Kotoko leapfrog Hearts of Oak to the lead.
Coach Maxwell Konadu made another substitution as Patrick Yeboah and Songne Yacouba went out for Imoro Ibrahim and Songne Yacouba respectively in the 66th minute.
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In the 90+1 minute, Hearts of Oak’s Robert Sowah was shown the exit of the game after receiving his second yellow card due to bad tackle.
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Hearts of Oak bounced back stronger to get the equalizer and probably the match winner but all to no avail as Kotoko stood up to their grounds untill the blast of the final whistle.
