Asante Kotoko emerged victorious over arch-rivals Hearts of Oak in the inaugural Democracy Cup, held at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday night, July 17, marking 30 years of parliamentary democracy in Ghana.
The match served as a platform for both teams to rejuvenate their fan base following a challenging season, with Asante Kotoko securing a 2-1 win.
Justice Blay opened the scoring for Kotoko with a penalty in the 30th minute, maintaining their lead until halftime.
Hearts of Oak equalized in the second half through a controversial header from new signing Asamoah Boateng Afriyie, which occurred amidst a contentious injury to Kotoko’s goalkeeper, Frederick Asare.
However, Asante Kotoko reclaimed the lead when Peter Amidu capitalized on a defensive error, sealing the victory.
The win not only grants Asante Kotoko a spot in an upcoming match against Major League Soccer side DC United in the United States but also boosts their morale ahead of the 2024/25 season.
In contrast, Hearts of Oak faces a challenging period as they seek to address their recent struggles and regain their competitive edge.