Asante Kotoko emerged victorious in a thrilling MTN FA Cup final, defeating surprise contenders Golden Kick FC 2–1 to claim their 10th FA Cup title. The match, filled with suspense and controversy, drew thousands of passionate fans and ended with dramatic scenes in the final minutes.
Kotoko took early control of the match with a powerful header from Kwame Opoku in the 17th minute after a perfectly delivered set piece by Lord Amoah. The Premier League side looked poised to dominate, but Golden Kick, a lower-tier side that shocked many with their journey to the final, responded admirably. In the 32nd minute, Bless Ege curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner to level the score, silencing the Kotoko crowd and reigniting belief among the underdogs.
As both sides struggled to find a breakthrough in the second half, tensions rose. In stoppage time, Kotoko were awarded a controversial penalty after a collision between Opoku and Golden Kick’s goalkeeper Kelvin Saaba. Despite protests from players and coaches, referee Selorm Bless Yaw stood by his decision.
With nerves of steel, Opoku converted the spot-kick in the dying seconds, securing a memorable brace and handing Kotoko the win. The goal triggered jubilant celebrations among Kotoko supporters and secured their place in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.
Head coach Abdul Karim Zito, now with two FA Cup trophies under his belt, praised the determination of his players and highlighted their hunger for continental competition. “This is more than a trophy—it’s a statement that Kotoko is back where we belong,” he said.
Golden Kick’s fairy-tale run to the final, while ending in heartbreak, was applauded across the football community as one of the great underdog stories in recent FA Cup history.
