GHALCA Top 4: Hearts of Oak humble Kotoko but miss out on trophy for Bibiani Gold Stars

Hearts of Oak defeated Asante Kotoko by 2-0 in the final match of the 2025 GHALCA (Ghana League Clubs Association) Top Four but that was not enough to win them the tournament.

It was Hearts of Oak who found the opener when a perfect flick from George Paaku located Frank Duku who beat Mohamed Camara in post for Kotoko in the 5th minute.

In the latter part of the first half, Hearts midfielder Abdul Karim made a good turn around, locating Mohammed Hussein whose effort however went a fraction wide off the post for Kotoko’s goal kick in the 44th minute.

Hearts of Oak exerted a number of incursions with Martin Karikari coming close to scoring, but Kotoko’s keeper Mohamed Camara was on hand to save the situation in the 50th minute.

Kotoko picked up their pieces moments later with strong runs on the wings but were wasteful in the end.

Hearts of Oak doubled their lead when Emmanuel Amankwa headed in a perfect corner kick in the 74th minute mark.

The Phobians ended the game with the 2-0 score line after four minutes of time added elapsed.

In the first fixture of the day in 2025 GHALCA Top Four, Heart of Lions and Gold Stars sold out a 1-1 draw after full time.

Heart of Lions shot ahead from the boot of Ali Fawzi who volleyed into the net after Gold Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Kobo spilled a corner kick in the 37th minute.

Gold Stars left it late to find the equalizer in the 92nd minute when he connected substitute, Emmanuel Agyei’s low cross.

The game went into penalty shootouts and Vincent Atingah converted the final kick for Gold Stars to win by 4-2.

Hearts of Oak finished the competition on seven points same as Gold Stars with Heart of Lions earning four points and Kotoko with no points.

Per the head-to-head rule, Bibiani Gold Stars lifted their maiden edition of the 2025 GHALCA Top Four ahead of Hearts of Oak.