In a commanding display at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Kotoko triumphed over Hearts Of Oak with a 2-0 scoreline on 9th February 2025. The match, which kicked off at 3:00pm, showcased Kotoko's dominance in the league, with both goals coming in the latter stages of the game.
Kotoko lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for creative attacking play. Fred Asare took his position in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Henry Asu on the right, Patrick Asmah on the left, and the central defensive pairing of Samba Oniel and Justice Blay. In midfield, George Tenadu and Emmanuel Antwi operated as the two central midfielders, tasked with controlling the tempo of the game. Ahead of them, Baba Yahaya and Saaka Dauda occupied the right and left attacking midfield roles respectively, while Sampson Eduku played centrally as the attacking midfielder, supporting lone striker Kwame Poku.
The substitutes for the match were not disclosed, leaving the focus solely on the starting eleven and their performance on the pitch.
The match began with both teams testing each other, but it was Kotoko who had the first notable moment when Sampson Eduku was caught offside in the 11th minute due to a mistimed run. This early warning sign did not deter the home side, as they continued to press forward. In the 17th minute, Emmanuel Antwi came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock, striking the post with a powerful effort that left the Hearts Of Oak defence scrambling.
As the first half progressed, Kotoko's goalkeeper Fred Asare was called into action in the 33rd minute, making a full-stretch save to deny a Hearts Of Oak attempt, showcasing his agility and reflexes. Shortly after, tensions rose as Hearts Of Oak received a yellow card for dissent, reflecting their frustration at being unable to break through Kotoko's resolute defence.
The breakthrough for Kotoko finally arrived in the 41st minute when Baba Yahaya capitalised on a defensive mistake from Hearts Of Oak. Following a well-placed cross from Patrick Asmah, Yahaya found the back of the net with a left-footed strike, sending the home crowd into raptures just before half-time.
The second half saw Kotoko maintain their momentum, though they faced a brief scare when Emmanuel Antwi committed a handball in the 56th minute, fortunately without conceding a penalty. As the game wore on, Justice Blay made a significant contribution in the 68th minute with a long pass that created a promising chance, demonstrating his playmaking abilities from the back.
As the match approached its final moments, the intensity heightened. In the 85th minute, a flurry of events unfolded as both Justice Blay and Patrick Asmah received yellow cards for persistent infringements and a bad tackle respectively. However, amidst the chaos, Kotoko struck again; Samba Oniel scored with a powerful header from close range, assisted by another cross from Baba Yahaya, sealing the victory for the home side.
The final whistle confirmed Kotoko's 2-0 victory over Hearts Of Oak, a result that not only boosts their league standing but also highlights their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. Kwame Poku was named Player of the Match, reflecting his influential presence throughout the game.
