Asante Kotoko defeated biggest rivals Hearts of Oak 2-1 on Wednesday night to annex the inaugural Democracy Cup organized by Ghana’s Parliament as Peter Amidu Acquah netted a brilliant second-half winner. 

The Porcupine Warriors made a bright start, dominating the midfield and causing problems to the Hearts of Oak backline on a number of occasions. Their dominance soon paid off when female referee Juliet Appiah awarded Kotoko what was somewhat a controversial penalty in the 30th minute.

Appiah adjudged Hearts defender Michael Awuah to have brought down Kotoko winger Peter Amidu Acquah in the area even though there was minimal contact as the latter went down easily.

The Hearts of Oak players protested but the decisions stood with Justice Blay stepping up to expertly convert it, sending Phobian goalkeeper Kwasi Nketiah the wrong way.

The Democracy Cup match was themed “30 Years of Parliamentary Democracy Under the 4th Republic: The Journey Thus Far,” and sees the winner play against DC United in the United States of America, Washington.

It was a fantastic performance from the Kumasi-based side who have seen more than 20 players depart ahead of the upcoming season.

Hearts of Oak dominated short periods of the Cup match coming close in the 39th minute with a dangerous corner kick. Aboubakar Ouattara’s men finally had the equalizer in the 51st when the newly-signed attacker from Nations FC Asamoah Boateng rose to challenge goalkeeper Frederick Asare for a Dennis Korsah cross into the Kotoko area, flicking the ball into the net.

Asare and the Kotoko team unsuccessfully contested against the equalizer, claiming a foul against the Black Stars keeper.

Kotoko continued to play neat football with new signing Emmanuel Antwi and Ntim Manu controlling the tempo of the game while the the front three of Peter Amidu Acquah, Elvis Kyei Baffour, and Bernard Somuah constantly tormented the Hearts of Oak defence.

At the half hour mark, defender Kelvin Osei Assibey was dispossessed by Kyei Baffour around the Hearts of Oak penalty area, threading a clever pass to Peter Amidu who fired the Cup match’s winning goal from inside the box.

Asante Kotoko starting line-up:

GK Frederick Asare

Emmanuel Kotei, Samna Oniel, Justice Blay, Esmat Abdulhamid

Andrews Ntim Manu, Emmanuel Antwi, Baba Yahaya

Peter Amidu Acquah, Elvis Kyei Baffour, Bernard Somuah

Hearts of Oak starting line-up: 

GK Kwasi Nketiah

Michael Ampadu, Kelvin Osei Assibey, Michael Awuah, Dennis Korsah

David Oppong Afrane, Martin Karikari, Raphael Amponsah

Asamoah Boateng, Hamza Issah, Cisse Kassim