Asante Kotoko produced a dominant display to defeat arch-rivals Hearts of Oak 1–0 in their much-anticipated Super Clash at the Accra Sports Stadium yesterday.
A 44th-minute penalty converted by Morifing Donzo proved decisive, earning the Porcupine Warriors all three points and extending their bragging rights over their sworn rivals for a third consecutive season.
The victory marked Kotoko’s fourth win in their last five matches and their 19th league triumph over Hearts since 1958. Hearts have 18 wins in that period, with 26 encounters ending in draws.
Yesterday’s clash was the 119th meeting between the two sides, with Kotoko now leading the overall head-to-head with 41 wins to Hearts’ 38, while 48 have been drawn.
Hearts improved in the second half and thought they had found the equaliser late in the game, but their joy was short-lived when substitute Mawuli Wayo’s bicycle-kick goal was ruled out for offside — a decision that angered both players and fans.
Tensions flared after the final whistle as some Hearts players confronted referee Reginald Collins Amoah over what they described as poor officiating. Security personnel were forced to intervene to prevent the situation from escalating.
It was Hearts’ first defeat of the season, while Kotoko’s defensive organisation and attacking intensity earned them a crucial away victory.
Kotoko dominated much of the first half, creating clear chances through Saaka Dauda, Peter Acquah, and Donzo, all of whom came close to scoring.
Hearts struggled to find rhythm early on but began to show promise after the 20th minute when Abora Duku made a delicate run and set up Hamza Issa, who arrived just late to connect.
Nine minutes later, Baba Adamu rose highest to meet a free kick, but his header flew narrowly over the bar.
Hearts introduced Martin Karikari for Frank Duku at the start of the second half, a change that injected energy into their attack. Raphael Amponsah created the first real chance of the half but fired wide from 25 yards after good work from Hamza Issah.
Despite dominating the closing stages and mounting relentless pressure in the final 10 minutes, the Phobians could not find a way past Kotoko’s composed defence, leaving the Porcupine Warriors to celebrate yet another memorable Super Clash triumph.
In other league matches, Paul Atta Agyei came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner as Heart of Lions edged Berekum Chelsea 1-0 to return to winning ways at the Kpando Sports Stadium.
After a cagey first half in which Lions saw a penalty appeal waved away and Ishmael Addo missed from close range, the hosts continued to press after the restart.
Substitute Atta Agyei, introduced in the 65th minute by coach Bashiru Hayford, made the difference in stoppage time, finishing clinically to secure all three points for the Kpando side.
At the Wenchi Sports Stadium, newly promoted Young Apostles produced a stunning comeback to beat Bechem United 3-2 in a pulsating five-goal thriller.
Basake Holy Stars finally ended their winless run with a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over defending champions Bibiani Gold Stars at the AAK Sports Arena in yesterday\.
After eight games without a win, the home side produced their best performance of the season. Prince Opoku broke the deadlock in the 36th minute before Prince Tweneboah doubled the lead four minutes later to give Holy Stars a commanding halftime advantage.
Gold Stars, unbeaten in their previous four matches, failed to recover as the hosts defended resolutely to claim their first clean sheet and first victory of the season.Bechem United’s struggles, meanwhile, continue as they remain in the relegation zone with only one win so far this season.
Last Friday, Nations FC were held to a 1-1 draw by newly promoted Hohoe United at the Kwame Kyei Sports Stadium , as Emmanuel Annor’s late equaliser salvaged a point for the hosts and denied the visitors what would have been their first away victory of the season.
