Kumasi Asante Kotoko has beaten Accra Heart of Oak by 5-4 on penalties in the (GFA) Normalization committee Special cup on Sunday at Ohene Gyan Sports Stadium in Accra. Kotoko netted from Naby Keita backheel pass in the 4th minute, when Abdul Safiu Fatawu, who just rejoined the Porcupines from International duty ahead of the game, after failing to make it into Ghana final 23man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
Kotoko held on to their early lead until injury time when Hearts drew level through a Christopher Bonney penalty to force the match into straight penalty shootout as Kotoko eventually carried the day.
Kofi kordzi, Christopher Booney, Robert Addo and Abubakar Traore converted Hearts four kicks before center back Mohammed Alhassan, who like Fatawu, had been away on international duty with Black Stars missed the Phobians final effort.
Kotoko’s fifth penalty taker Amos Frimpong, on the other hand, made no mistake to make it five successful kicks following earlier strikes by Ismail Abdul Ganiyo, Jordan Opoku, Evans Owusu and Fatawu.
Kotoko will face-off with Karela United on 23rd June, As the Anyinase based club recorded a stunning 1-0 away Victory over Ashanti Gold in the second semifinal tie, as Daisy Taylor’s strike made the difference in Obuasi.
The ultimate winners of the competition will represent Ghana in next season’s Caf Champions League.
By Isaac Taylor