Accra Hearts of Oak beat rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko in Kumasi despite going one man down as early as the 34th minute.

The home team has struggled for consistency in their last five games, with just a single win, and was hoping for improved results in the Super Clash. 

Baba Adamu was at the end of a looping free kick from Martin Karikari to head beyond the reach of the goalkeeper, Mohammed Camara, in the 14th minute.

The home team, awoken by their goal deficit, went in search of the equalizer, but a resolute away defense was on hand to repel all the attacks from Gyau, Donzo, and Amoah. 

In a span of five minutes, Emmanuel Amankwah was given his second bookable offense by referee Daniel Laryea at the 34-minute mark. 

The Phobia boys rounded the first half with a goal in the bag despite being a man down. 

Kotoko was the better team in the second half with a wave of consistent attacks through Dogo, Donzo, and Amoah. 

The win means the Phobians are five points off the pace at the top of Medeama’s 44 points from 22 games and their first against the Porcupine Warriors at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in 5 years.

The Rainbow bows will play Berekum Chelsea, while Kotoko will travel away to Young Apostles for the next league fixture. 

In a passionate message ahead of Sunday’s showdown, Ama Brobey Williams highlighted the significance of the fixture, calling it “the soul of Ghana football” and a rivalry that defines generations.

The historic encounter between the two most decorated clubs in the country will take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday, February 15, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00pm.

According to her, the Super Clash represents tradition, pride, and the enduring heartbeat of the Ghana Premier League. She emphasized that whenever Kotoko and Hearts meet, the entire nation feels the intensity, with every tackle and every goal carrying the weight of history.

With the match set to be played under the lights in Kumasi, she called on fans in the Ashanti Region and beyond to fill the Baba Yara Stadium, describing the occasion as a celebration of Ghana’s football culture.

Ama Brobey Williams also used the opportunity to encourage supporters to rally behind the Ghana Premier League, stressing that local football is where communities unite and future stars are born.

As anticipation builds, all eyes now turn to Kumasi for what promises to be another unforgettable chapter in Ghana’s greatest football rivalry.

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“The game against Karela United is our most important game in my opinion,” he said

“We shouldn’t be thinking of the Hearts of Oak game. As far as I am concerned, we should go all out against Karela United and make sure we are picking the maximum points” he added.

Asante Kotoko will face Thunderbolt FC this weekend in the MTN FA Cup before playing Karela United in the midweek fixture then host Hearts of Oak next weekend.

Asante Kotoko announced on Thursday morning that Abdul Ganiyu, Andy Kumi, and Augustine Okrah have all returned to training ahead of their game against Thunderbolt FC in the MTN FA Cup.

𝙄𝙉𝙅𝙐𝙍𝙔 𝙐𝙋𝘿𝘼𝙏𝙀@officialGaniyu is back in training with a light session at Adako Jachie this morning, same as @AugustineOkrah1 and @andybarron205, who have also stepped up their recovery sessions.#AKSC #AriseLetsBuild #KumApem pic.twitter.com/pJNA2gFopy

— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners (@AsanteKotoko_SC) June 17, 2021

Read More  News- MTN FA Cup Round of 32 draw; Kotoko get Thunderbolt, Hearts get Wind

Abdul Ganiyu who went off injured in Kotoko’s last game against Inter Allies was involved in a light training session alongside Okrah and Kumi on Thursday morning. Augustine Okrah and Andy Kumi missed Kotoko’s last few games due to injury.

It is still unclear if the three players will be available for their game this weekend against Thunderbolt FC.

“We mapped out some strategies which if you don’t know football, you will say they are dominating but we were just looking out for some individual players”

“Mudasiru and Gama, you know they were perfect players and we mapped out some strategy to break them down and stop them from coming” he added.

Asante Kotoko are yet to beat Aduana Stars at the CAM Park in the club’s history.

Asante Kotoko coach Mariano Barreto has named his squad for their game against Aduana Stars on Saturday. The Porcupines will travel to Dormaa to play one of their fierce opponents.



Razak Abalora who missed out last week when Kotoko hosted WAFA SC, is now back in the squad alongside Patrick Asmah who also missed out last week.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers – Razak Abalora, Felix Annan.

Defenders – Christopher Nettey, Abdul Ganiyu, Yusif Mubarik, Imoro Ibrahim, Patrick Asmah, Habib Mohammed, Samuel Frimpong.

Midfielders – Mudasiru Salifu, Emmanuel Keyekeh, Abdul Latif Anabila, Fabio Gama, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Augustine Okrah.

Strikers: Andy Kumi Francis, Evans Adomako, Solomon Sarfo Taylor

The MTN FA Cup Round of 64 draw took place on Thursday in Accra as club’s got to know their opponents in the prestigious competition.



Accra Hearts of Oak will host familiar opponents Liberty Professionals while Kumasi Asante Kotoko will be traveling to face Bekwaki Youth Football Academy.

Full Draw:

Volta Region:

WAFA FC vs Akatsi Allstars FC

Hearts of Lions FC vs Bebeto FC

Ashantigold:

Wassaman FC vs Asokwa Deportivo

River Plate Athletic Club vs Thunderbolt FC

BYFA vs Asante Kotoko

King Faisal vs Ashantigold

Greater Accra Region:

Kintampo Top Talents FC vs Mighty Royals FC

Aduana Stars vs Eleven Wonders

Kato Freedom Fighters vs Bechem United

Kenyasi New Dreams FC vs Sunyani Reformers

Young Apostles FC vs TECHIMAN City/Unity FC

Berekum Chelsea vs Bofoakwa Tano FC

Eastern Region:

Okyeman Planners FC vs Young Wise FC

Kade United FC vs Okwawu United

Phar Rangers vs Dreams FC

Greater Accra:

Accra Great Olympics vs Charity Stars FC

Tema Youth FC vs Inter Allies FC

Accra City Stars FC vs Third World FC

Accra Hearts of Oak vs Liberty Professionals

Legon Cities vs Uncle T FC

Attram De Visser vs Mighty Jets FC

Northern Region & Upper Regions:

Kintampo FC vs Bolga Soccer Masters

Real 24 hours FC vs Steadfast FC

Paga Crocodiles vs Sombo Freedom Stars

RTU vs Tamale City

Western Region:

Aboi Young Stars vs Samartex

Sekondi Eleven Wise vs Medeama SC

Sekondi Hasaacas vs Karela United FC

Central Region:

Vipers vs Star Madrid

Skyy FC vs Ebusua Dwarfs

Unistar Academy vs Windy Professionals

Elmina Sharks vs Metro Stars FC

Asante Kotoko boss Mariano Barreto has applauded his team for learning from their previous mistakes to come from behind to grab an important win against Dreams FC on Saturday.



The Porcupines registered a 3-1 win against Dreams FC to climb up to the league table after Gameweek 23.

Mariano Barreto attributed his team’s fighting spirit to the lesson they learned from defeat against Medeama in Gameweek 21.

“We didn’t give up (after conceding), it was in the hard moment we started remembering what happened against Medeama,” he said

“This is why we are working hard to try to solve these problems and we equalized. In the second half, we created a number of chances of goals and it was too much for Dreams” he added.

Asante Kotoko host Ebusua Dwarfs in their next game and will be looking to maintain their spot at the top of the table.

Asante Kotoko are reportedly considering withdrawing from the MTN FA Cup due to player injuries, Sahara Football understands. 



The Kumasi-based club will pull out of the competition as they want to focus on the Ghana Premier League and to reduce the injury situation at the club.

Asante Kotoko currently have more than five inured/unfit players including the new signings the club made in the second transfer window.

The club’s withdrawal could be a huge blow to the sponsors as they were hoping to see the nine times FA Cup winners in the competition this season.

Asante Kotoko have offered a new 2-year contract to midfielder Richard Senanu following the player’s return to the club’s squad after a lengthy knee injury.



The energetic midfielder who was out for three years will be looking to repay the faith the club had in him after he received a new contract extension offer that will see the midfielder earn Ghc 3,000 per month.

Sahara Football understands the player and the club’s management are in the closing stages of the contract extension.