Asante Kotoko’s latest recruit, Lord Hilary Adabo, wasted no time endearing himself to fans after a commanding debut in the Toyota Cup triumph over South African giants Kaizer Chiefs.
The Ghanaian side secured the trophy following a tense 3-2 penalty shootout victory after the match ended goalless at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on July 26, 2025.
The defensive midfielder, who signed a three-year deal with the Porcupine Warriors earlier this month, was at the heart of the midfield throughout the match, impressing fans with his calmness under pressure, tactical intelligence, and strong ball-winning abilities.
Lord Hilary Adabo’s Kotoko Debut
Adabo’s performance stood out in a game defined by midfield battles and tactical discipline. Despite the lack of goals in regular time, Kotoko’s dominance in the middle of the park was evident, and much of that came from the composed presence of the 21-year-old.
Adabo intercepted play, broke up attacks, and quickly transitioned defense into attack with short, purposeful passes. His performance didn’t go unnoticed by fans on social media platform X, where #Adabo and #ToyotaCup were trending in Ghana shortly after the match.
Impressive debut 👏
LORD HILARY ADABO#AKSC #Fabucensus #Kotoko4All pic.twitter.com/2847Ypw97J
— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) July 27, 2025
Fans Shower Praise on Hilary Adabo
Kotoko supporters took to the platform in droves to hail their new midfield general. Here are five standout fan reactions that capture the mood:
@KwameK97:
“Lord Hilary Adabo is HIM. His positional sense is unreal for someone his age. That midfield was locked down tonight. Welcome to the family, warrior!”
@AsanteWura:
“We’ve been crying for a proper defensive midfielder and we finally have one. Adabo was ice cold under pressure. Calm, smart, solid. Black Stars selectors, are you watching?”
@KotokoPulseGH:
“A debut like that in a high-stakes match? Wow. Adabo played like he’s been here for years. Big respect to Samartex for developing such a gem.”
@NanaYawRed:
“Lord Adabo reads the game like a seasoned pro. This is how you stamp your authority in midfield. No unnecessary fouls, just pure football intelligence.”
@Akua_Kotoko:
“He’s already my favorite player. His ball recovery and quick thinking were key. He made Chiefs look average in midfield. What a signing!”
Kotoko’s Midfield Future Looks Bright
With over 60 top-flight appearances already under his belt at just 21, Adabo arrived at Kotoko with high expectations, having excelled at FC Samartex.
If his debut is anything to go by, those expectations are well justified. His understanding of the game, tactical maturity, and natural leadership qualities add steel and stability to a midfield that often lacked consistency last season.
Coach Karim Zito was also seen applauding Adabo on the sidelines during the game, signaling his appreciation for the youngster’s immediate impact.
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