Kotoko back in title hunt as Amoah's strike silences Hearts

Kumasi Asante Kotoko reignited their Ghana Premier League title chase with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Accra Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.

Striker Albert Amoah delivered the decisive moment deep into injury time, scoring his seventh goal of the 2024/25 campaign to secure all three points for the Porcupine Warriors. 

The result lifts Kotoko to 21 points, just three behind surprise league leaders Kpando Heart of Lions and Bibiani Gold Stars, with a third of the season completed. Hearts, meanwhile, sit in seventh place with 19 points after 13 games.

Kotoko’s triumph leaves them in sixth position on the league table, trailing third-placed Bechem United—who are in blistering form with four consecutive wins—by two points. Nations FC occupy fourth place with 20 points, while Medeama are fifth with 19 points.

This victory over Hearts  marks back-to-back league wins for Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum’s side, following their recent 2-0 triumph over lower-tier side Future Stars in the MTN FA Cup Round of 64.

The resurgence has silenced critics who questioned the team’s credentials after they endured four straight league defeats between October and November. Kotoko’s current form suggests that slump was merely a blip, now firmly behind them.

With four matches remaining in the first round, the Porcupine faithful are optimistic that their team can sustain this momentum and possibly reach the summit of the league table before the second round commences.

Kotoko’s next challenge is a trip to Accra on Friday to face struggling Dreams FC, followed by a crucial home fixture against Bibiani Gold Stars on Christmas Eve.

They will then travel to Tarkwa to take on Medeama on January  3 before concluding the first half of the season at home against newcomers Vision FC on January 17.

The record Ghanaian top-flight champions remain in contention for the MTN FA Cup, having advanced to the Round of 32. With their revival gathering pace, Kotoko fans are dreaming of a historic double this season as their team strives to recapture its glory days.