GHALCA Top 4: Asante Kotoko suffer second defeat against Heart of Lions

Heart of Lions inflicted a second defeat on Asante Kotoko in the 2025 GHALCA Top Four – beating the Porcupine Warriors by 1-0 in the second game on Friday afternoon.

Heart of Lions, who lost by 1-0 to Hearts of Oak in their opening game, controlled the game from the blast of the whistle at the Legon Sports Stadium.

The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute when a poor punch by Kotoko keeper Haruna Aziz Dari on a corner kick sent the ball directly to Paul Atta Agyei, who tapped it in for Heart of Lions’ opening goal.

Heart of Lions Liberian import, Chancy Freeman, nearly increased the tally with a perfect pass from Kwadwo Obeng Junior, but his effort was cleared off the goal line by Kotoko centre-back, Samba Oniel, in the 40th minute.

Goalkeeper Aziz Daari came to the rescue of Kotoko, parrying Ishamel Addo’s well-taken strike from distance in the 42nd minute.

Kotoko came into the game briefly with substitute, Albert Amoah, whose cross was headed goal-bound by Donzo Morifing, but Lions keeper, Lawrence Agyei, palmed it away to safety with a minute to end the first half.

Heart of Lions continued their dominance in the second half, with Chauncy Freeman coming up with a fine goal opportunity; however, he shot straight into the hands of Aziz Dari in the 66th minute.

With 74 minutes played, Donzo Morifing leapt above Heart of Lions defenders, but his header went over the bar for Heart of Lions’ goal kick.

The score line remained 1-0 with Heart of Lions going into their final game of the 2025 GHALCA Top Four against Gold Stars FC on Sunday.