Kotoko win President’s Cup

Uncrowned League Champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Tuesday added to their silverware for the season when they won the President's Republican Day Cup after beating impressive Heart of Lions on penalties.

The exciting game at the Ohene Gyan Stadium had ended 2:2, however Lions disappointingly failed to convert any of their first three penalty kicks, while Kotoko scored three from four kicks with Daniel Acquah, Nii Adjei and Eric Bekoe scoring.

Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama presented the magnificent Cup at stake to Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, skipper of the victorious side, while Lions Dominic Adiyia, very instrumental in Lions' output on the day, picked the Most Valuable Player award.

Lions kicked off under the instructions of Accra-based Referee Alex Kotey and immediately launched into a goal search, while Kotoko reacted somewhat slowly.

By the 9th minute, Edmund Owusu Ansah had great chance to put Lions ahead, however he directed his shot just outside of the Kotoko box high above the bar.

Six minutes later, it was goalkeeper Stephen Ahorlu in post for Lions who stormed out to clear from an advancing Osei Kufuor.

The two sides continued to test each other for goals until the 24th minute when Referee Kotey ejected Lions' Godfred Rockson from the game for a professional foul.

The 10-man Lions were undaunted, but a goal hungry Kotoko sent their skipper through the Lions defence with an incisive pass. Emmanuel Kufuor, uncharacteristically slow on the day, once again had keeper Ahorlu and a defender to deprive him of the ball in the 35th minute.

Within a minute of the second half, Jordan Opoku opened the score in what was to be an eventful second half, with Adiyia levelling up almost immediately from a corner kick.

Kotoko were to restore their lead again in the 78th minute after the introduction of speedster Kwadwo Poku and Stephen Oduro. Deep into injury time, Lions levelled up through a spot kick after Kwabena Yaro brought down a Lions' attacker in the box.

Author: Isaac Yeboah