MTN FA Cup: Controversial penalty helps Kotoko sink Golden Kick

Asante Kotoko are the champions of Ghana’s MTN FA Cup under controversial circumstances. A late Kwame Opoku penalty kick won it late for the Porcupine Warriors in their 2-1 victory over second tier side Golden Kick SC in Sunday’s final after a foul call that was universally condemned by observers.

Division One club Golden Kick enjoyed a lion’s share of ball possession, controlling every department of the field but were unlocked by a momentary loss of concentration in the first quarter of the game.

Asante Kotoko found the lead on the 16th minute when Lord Amoah’s free kick was nodded home by Opoku. Notwithstanding Kotoko’s lead, Golden Kicks still controlled the game with great energy, midfield and wing play.

Their control of play saw Samba O’Neil bring down an opponent which earned Golden Kick a free kick a few yards away from the penalty area in the 31st minute. Bless Ege then stepped up to cut in a perfect free kick which beat Mohamed Camara in Kotoko’s post for Golden Kicks equalizer.

WHAT AN EQUALISER!

Golden Kicks pull parity at the Legon Sports Stadium

Kotoko 1- 1 Golden Kicks #HappySports #mtnfacupfinal pic.twitter.com/YngjxXpmaw

— Happy Sports (@HappySportsGh) June 15, 2025

Zakaria Mumuni came close to putting Golden Kick in the lead but his left footed strike forced Kotoko keeper, Mohamed Camara to stretch to an elastic limit for save. The first half of the game ended 1-1 in a filled Legon Sports Stadium.

Asante Kotoko’s performance shot a notch up in the second half, pinning Golden Kick into their half occasionally but still struggled to translate their efforts into goals. Golden Kick were however smart, soaking the incursions from the Porcupine Warriors and trying to catch them on the break.

Kotoko came close to finding the lead but Peter Amidu Acquah’s strike in Golden Kicks goal area went a fraction wide off the post on the 86th minute.

Just minutes after Amidu Acquah’s opportunity, centre back, Joseph Ablord was well placed by Kwame Opoku but his strike flew way over the bar much to the relief of Golden Kick. With the four additional time added, Kotoko were awarded a penalty when Golden Kick keeper Kelvin Owusu Saaba was adjudged to have brought down Kwame Opoku.

Opoku elected to take he perfectly scored for Kotoko to win the game by 1-1 at full time. The record Ghana Premier League holders will represent Ghana in the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup next year after claiming their 10th FA Cup title.