Asante Kotoko won the 2025 Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) President's Cup on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium after rallying from behind to upset rivals Hearts of Oak 2-1.
In a thrilling game that featured a missed penalty, an own goal, a goal that was disallowed, and a goalkeeping error, the Porcupine Warriors persevered to extend their winning streak against Hearts to six games.
Hamza Issah gave Hearts of Oak the lead in the first half after taking advantage of a mistake made by goalie Mohamed Camara. Hearts deserved their advantage at halftime after controlling the first few minutes of play.
The second half, however, saw a strong response from Kotoko. The Porcupine Warriors leveled the score when defender Konadu Yiadom diverted a cross into his own net. Kwame Opoku quickly made it 2-1 by punishing shoddy defense with a straightforward finish.
Late in the game, Hearts believed they had equalized, but their goal was disallowed for offside. This caused fans to hurl missiles onto the field in anger. A shootout might have been necessary when Emmanuel Amankwah missed a penalty.
Participating in the match was President John Dramani Mahama, whose honor it was. Hearts still has six President's Cup victories, while Kotoko now has nine.
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To lead the Inter-Club Competitions and Club Licensing Committee, CAF selects GFA capo Kurt E. S. Okraku.
Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the second vice president of CAF, has been named president of the CAF Organizing Committee for Inter-Club Competitions and the Management of the Club Licensing System by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
With this esteemed appointment, Mr. Simeon-Okraku will be leading one of CAF's most powerful committees and will be responsible for the strategic direction and supervision of the continent's premier club tournaments, the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
In this capacity, he will also oversee the ongoing creation and implementation of the CAF Club Licensing System, a vital project aimed at professionalizing club football throughout Africa. By international standards, the licensing framework guarantees that clubs fulfill important requirements in areas including administration, finance, infrastructure, governance, and youth development.
In his capacity as Inter Club Committee Chair, President Simeon-Okraku will collaborate closely with Member Associations, the CAF Executive Committee, and other important parties to improve the caliber, level of competition, and international recognition of African inter-club competitions. Leading reforms that will promote long-term growth, operational excellence, and increased commercial viability within the inter-club ecosystem is another aspect of his job.
This most recent nomination is a testament to CAF's profound faith in Mr. Simeon-Okraku's ability to lead and his dedication to the advancement of African football. It also represents a major turning point for Ghanaian football, as the GFA President is becoming more and more influential in determining football governance on the continent.
President Simeon-Okraku is in a strong position to spearhead revolutionary change within CAF's inter-club competitions and licensing structures, opening the door for a more resilient and internationally competitive future for African football because of his vast experience, forward-thinking outlook, and commitment to development.