Asante Kotoko have been crowned champions of the 2025 Toyota Cup after defeating South African side, Kaizer Chiefs, 3-2 on penalties at Moses Mabhida Stadium last Saturday.
The cagey encounter had the entire stadium, awash in the yellow and black stripes of the Nedbank champions, on the edge of their seats as both teams played cautiously at the back, leaving the midfield as the battleground.
At the quarter-hour mark, the hosts had a scare when Kwame Opoku’s header nearly found the net, only for goalkeeper Brandon Peterson to parry it over the bar.
Chiefs took charge of the game midway through, dominating possession, but could not translate that into goals as both teams headed into the interval goalless.
Back from the break, Chiefs continued right where they left off, relentlessly pressuring the Ghanaian side in search of an opener. However, Asante’s defense, led by skipper Gilbani Samba O’niel, remained resolute while the goalkeeper made some great saves to keep the scores level.
Seven minutes from the end, Chiefs were awarded a penalty after Henry Ansu was adjudged to have brought down substitute Pule Mmodi in the box. However, captain Inacio Miguel stepped up and missed the spot-kick.
The match remained goalless after regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout. Ansu, Albert Amoah, and Johnson Oppong converted their penalties for the Porcupine Warriors, while Lord Amoah, Patrick Aseidu, and Samba O’niel failed in their attempts.
Gaston Sirino and Mduduzi Shabalala scored for the Glamour Boys, while Wandile Duba, Aden McCarthy, Pule Mmodi, and Inacio Miguel missed their shots, handing the Ghanaian FA Cup champions the trophy.
Kotoko’s victory marked a second consecutive year that Chiefs have lost in this cup competition, following last season’s defeat to Young Africans.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
