Asante Kotoko edge Kaizer Chiefs on penalties in Toyota Cup exhibition

Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko are the champions of the Toyota Cup after triumphing in a penalty shootout over host side Kaizer Chiefs in the final played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa on Saturday.

Guinean goalkeeper Mohamed Camara continues to see his star rise with the Porcupine Warriors after the shot stopper took advantage of a nervy penalty shootout performance from Amakhosi to emerge as the hero. Camara saved tame efforts from Wandile Duba, Eden McCarthy before keeping Kotoko alive with another save on Pule Mmodi’s spot kick.

After being tied following five rounds, Chiefs defender Inácio Miguel then sensationally missed his second spot kick attempt of the day to confirm Kotoko’s victory.

As for the ninety minutes that preceded penalty kicks, there were plenty of symptoms of two teams that are still figuring things out in preseason. A lack of qualify in the final third persisted with Chiefs looking more dangerous. Mfundo Vilakazi’s free kick came close to testing Camara near the half hour mark before Makabi Lilepo’s long range blast was just off target.

Duba came close to breaking the deadlock in the second half when he escaped defensive pressure for a powerful shot that rattled Camara’s crossbar. In the final ten minutes, a penalty kick awarded to Chiefs saw Miguel put his first penalty attempt wide without even testing Camara, setting the stage for Kotoko to prevail in penalty kicks.