KEY POINTS
- Albert Amoah’s last-minute goal gave Kotoko a 1-0 victory over Hearts of Oak in their Premier League clash.
- Despite creating chances, Hearts of Oak struggled to convert, with a costly error leading to Kotoko’s victory.
- Kotoko’s win takes them to 6th place, while Hearts of Oak remain 7th after the loss.
Asante Kotoko secured a dramatic 1-0 win over rivals Hearts of Oak in a tense Premier League clash at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on December 15, 2024.
The match, which saw both teams display solid defensive play throughout, was decided by a last-minute goal from Kotoko’s Albert Amoah.
Kotoko snatches late victory over Hearts
According to report, the game remained goalless for most of the 90 minutes, with Hearts of Oak’s defense, led by Kelvin Osei, holding strong against Kotoko’s attacks.
However, the match took a dramatic turn in the dying seconds when a miscommunication between Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare and defender Osei allowed Amoah to pounce on a loose ball, tapping it into the empty net to seal victory for Kotoko.
Despite dominating possession and creating several scoring opportunities throughout the game, Hearts of Oak were unable to find the back of the net. Osei, who had been one of the standout performers for the Phobians, was left to rue his costly error in the closing moments of the match. Their defensive resilience had kept Kotoko at bay until the fatal miscommunication.
The result marked a crucial victory for Kotoko, who now have six wins, three draws, and four losses from 13 matches, placing them in 6th position on the league table with 21 points. The win further bolstered their confidence, especially with key players such as Amoah stepping up when it mattered most.
Kotoko edge Hearts of Oak again
Hearts of Oak, on the other hand, remain in 7th place, with five wins, four draws, and four losses from 12 matches, accumulating 19 points. The loss was a disappointing result for the Phobians, who had been hoping to build on recent positive performances.
The game marked the 115th meeting between the two footballing giants, with Kotoko now having won 39 matches, while Hearts of Oak have 38 victories. There have been 39 draws between the two sides in their storied history, further underlining the intense rivalry between the two teams.
Kotoko’s coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum, will be keen to use this victory as a springboard for the remainder of the season. With this crucial win, the club will look to build momentum and challenge for the league title, setting up an exciting finish to the 2024 Premier League campaign.
Hearts of Oak will need to quickly regroup and address the defensive lapses that cost them the game if they are to mount a challenge in the second half of the season.
