Vision FC thrash Kotoko in GPL final fixture as Hearts clinch top-four finish
Asante Kotoko's bid to finish the season among the top four suffered a crushing blow after a 3-1 defeat to Vision FC in their final Ghana Premier League match played at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex on Sunday.
Despite a promising start, the Porcupine Warriors were overpowered by the determined Premier League debutants, who fought back from a goal down to record a vital win that secured their place in next season’s top flight.
Kotoko drew first blood in the 37th minute through Emmanuel Antwi, whose left-footed strike took a deflection before nestling into the bottom left corner.
The visitors controlled the tempo and looked poised to extend their lead before the halftime whistle.
Duku's brace
However, Vision FC came out of the break with a renewed purpose. Substitute Edmond Asante equalised with a stunning finish before Frank Abora Duku, another substitute, netted a sensational brace to complete a remarkable comeback.
Duku combined with Emmanuel Sanja in the 81st minute to put the hosts 2-1 ahead, and in the 92nd minute, he sealed the victory with another well-worked goal, this time linking up with Meshak Adjetey Sowah.
Vision FC had earlier missed two clear opportunities, with Daniel Yemoh and Isaac Agyemang Opoku failing to find the target in the opening stages. Kotoko, meanwhile, controlled much of the first half but couldn’t add to their solitary goal.
Speaking after the match, Vision FC Head Coach, Nana Kweku Agyemang, credited the win to mental fortitude.
Asante Kotoko Coach, Abdul Karim Zito, conceded defeat gracefully, praising the performance of the home side.
“Vision FC played really well and deserved to win. This is a wake-up call for us ahead of the FA Cup final. We need to regroup and respond,” he stated.
Hearts clinch top-four finish
At the Accra Sports Stadium, Hearts of Oak sealed a top-four finish on the final day of the Ghana Premier League season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over defending champions, FC Samartex.
Konadu Yiadom was the hero of the day, netting the only goal shortly after the restart to hand the Phobians a crucial win in front of their home fans.
Hearts started the match on the front foot, pressing high and creating chances, but Samartex remained resolute in defence, keeping the game goalless at halftime.
The breakthrough came early in the second half when Yiadom latched onto a well-worked team move to slot home and give Coach Aboubakar Ouattara’s side the lead.
The goal proved enough to extend Hearts' unbeaten run to six matches — a streak consisting of three wins and three draws — and secure a spot in the top four, leapfrogging rivals Asante Kotoko.
Hearts of Oak finish the campaign five points behind league champions Gold Stars, capping off a strong late-season resurgence.
