Ashantigold were crowned winners of the tier-two cup after beating Nzema Kotoko 1-0 to win the Cup and also qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup.

Nzema Kotoko were unfortunate as they narrowly lost to the gold miners at the Cape coast stadium on Sunday.

Mark Agyekum’s 38th-minute strike was the only difference in the game, the player sent a low shot beyond the reach of Nzema goalie Evans Quansah.



The game became more difficult for Nzema Kotoko as Akesse Akesse was shown a red card on the 74th minute for an elbow on Roland Amouzou of Ashantigold.

The gold miners will be delighted with their achievement as they have also booked a place in the CAF Confederation Cup.

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CK Akonnor has revealed that he and the boys might embark on a break after winning the Special Competition tier-one trophy after beating Karela United in the finals.

Asante Kotoko rose from last week disappointment where they lost 3-1 to Ashantigold in the tier-two semifinals to beat Karela United in the finals to win the Cup.

Winning the tier-one competition means that Asante Kotoko are qualified to play in the next CAF Champions League in Africa.



CK Akonnor stressed on how busy the Special Competition was for him and his team and revealed that they will definitely go on a short break.

“We would have a meeting today and will go off (on break) for at least two weeks and come back”, he told Kumasi based radio station Fox FM

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Asante Kotoko were crowned the Champions of the Special Competition tier-one organized by the Ghana Football Assoication Normalization Committee after beating Karela United 4-1 on penalties, and Kotoko coach couldn’t hide his excitement after achieving this feat with his boys.



“I think the game was a very difficult one, in the course of a week we have played three high profile games,” he said after the game.

“Our play wasn’t all that good, but we were efficient on the day, I’m pleased and grateful to the guys for such a wonderful and memorable win,” he added.

Talented forward Abdul Fatawu’s penalty cancelled Karela’s opener to send the game to a penalty shootout where Asante Kotoko won 4-1.

CK Akonnor and his boys will be delighted as they have also qualified for the CAF Champions League.

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Asante Kotoko have sealed their CAF Champions League qualification after beating Karela United 4-1 on penalties to lift the Ghana Football Association Normalization Committee’s Special Competition.

Karela United dominated the first minutes of the game, they almost scored an early goal but their freekick effort went above the bar.

Kwame Bonsu almost opened the scoring for Kotoko but his effort went wide.

The scoreline was goalless after the break, as both teams went into their various dressing rooms.

Emmanuel Osei Baffour scored the first goal of the game after his curling effort went past Osei Kwame who couldn’t do much.

Asante Kotoko were awarded a penalty kick in the 71sst minute and Abdul Fatawu scored from the spot to restore parity.



Amos Frimpong’s goal in added time was disallowed by the referee who spotted the handball before the ball went in.

The scoreline remained 1-1 after normal time and both teams prepared for the penalty shootout.

Karela United missed their first two penalties and scoring their third, while Asante Kotoko scored their first four to win the game.

Asante Kotoko have qualified for the CAF Champions League.

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CK Akonnor stated that his boys didn’t play well against Ashantigold in the semifinals of the Special Competition, he added that Ashantigold were the better team in the encounter.

Ashantigold were dominant on Wednesday against Asante Kotoko in the tier-two Special Competition semifinals as the beat the Porcupines 3-1 in a thrilling game.

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Ashantigold were too strong for Asante Kotoko as they dominated the semifinal game and came out 3-1 winners in the encounter.

Naby Keita opened the scoring in the game with a close-range tap-in to put Kotoko in front.

Ashgold pegged them immediately after Yussif Mubarik’s header hit the back of the net following a beautiful corner kick from Amouzou.

Ashantigold took the lead through Emmanuel Owusu who scored a screamer following another cross from Amouzou.

Asante Kotoko found themselves behind at the first forty-five minutes.

Mark Agyekum scored Ashgold’s third goal to put them in a commanding position in the game.

Ashgold sat back and defended their lead until the game time elapsed.

Ashantigold will play Nzema Kotoko in the finals of the tier-two Special Competition.

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Dreams FC Former assistant Manager Winfred Dormon has been appointed as the substantive manager for the club.

Prior to the appointment, the ex-player held the fort for the club with four matches to end the preliminary stage of the NC Special Competition after the exit of Finish coach Juha Pasoja.

Dormon holds a CAF Licence B badge and boasts of an incredible coaching path.

Until his return, he steered Division One League outfit Proud United to the second round of theTier 2 competition.

The former U17 star also assisted Charles K Akonnor for three years riot to the team’s debut qualification to the Ghana Premier League.

He had also served under Coach Henry Wellington and current youth development manager for Dreams FC, Abdul Karin Zito as deputy manager.

He has been tasked with scouting and building a refreshing squad for next season’s premier league campaign.

Meanwhile, Dormon is expected to soon announce his backroom staff in the coming days.

Source: DreamsFC

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Young defender Evans Owusu tells his sad story after aiding the Porcupine Warriors to victory over eternal rivals, Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The two giants needed spot-kicks to settle the Tier One semi-final tie after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, as the quest for supremacy and the ticket to the title match rolled on before a massive crowd.

The defender, who converted his spot-kick, recounted how he almost lost hope in pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer during what he described as ‘hard times.’

“I never dreamt of this sudden rise in my career,” says Evans Owusu who joined Asante Kotoko straight from Accra-based division-two side, Charity Stars.



“It got to a time where I lost hope and nearly gave up on football as the hardships were too much to take. I lost my father and there was no help from anywhere”, continues the youngster who has never played in the Division-One.

“I am so grateful to God now for how far He has brought me. I was the only second division player to be included in our Africa squad and here I am playing in the ‘El Classico’ against Hearts.”

“I can only be thankful to God,” the left-back tells Kotoko Express App



Source: Kotoko Express App

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Asante Kotoko are cruising into the final of the tier-one Special Competition after beating Hearts of Oak 4-5 on penalties in a thrilling encounter.

The game ended 1-1 in normal time and Asante Kotoko came out victorious in the penalty shootout.

Abdul Fatawu opened the scoring in the opening minutes of the game after converting a back hell pass from Naby Keita.

Hearts of Oak dominated the game all through but couldn’t break the Kotoko defence until the closing minutes of the game when they were awarded a penalty; Christopher Bonney converted the penalty to restore parity.



Mohammed Alhassan was the only player that missed the spot-kick in the shoot-out, Amos Frimpong had the honor of playing the final kick and sending his team to the finals of the tier-one Special Competition.

Asante Kotoko will play Karela United in the finals.

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Kotoko edged their way past the Zone A of the Normalisation Committee Special Competition Tier-One Cup by finishing second. Now the biggest test yet awaits a semi-final clash away to sworn rivals Hearts of Oak on Sunday.

Charles Kwablan Akonnor admits it is going to be tough but is confident his side has prepared well enough during their preparations to snatch the ticket to the title match.

Kotoko arrived in Accra on Saturday after a 5-day training camp in Asante Mampong, and tells Kotoko Express App the lads have responded positively to the tactical drills and also showed good countenances ahead of the duel.

“I know it’s going to be tough, and I admit that it is the toughest game yet in the competition, knowing the type of opponent and how important such matches are to the teams and the supporters across the divide,” says C. K. Akonnor.

“But for the past days, we have prepared well to face them. And I am very happy because the players are responding well to what we have been taking them through.”

“One other good also is that the players are calm and not under pressure. It is a tough game, no doubt, but the players are relaxed and approaching it like it was a normal game. They are not feeling complacent, but are also not under pressure. They have a clear mind and that is good going into a game like this one.”

The game experienced a hiccup with Kotoko withdrawal due to the disapproval of the selection of match venue and the uneven disbursement of the gate proceeds.

The team rescinded the decision on Tuesday, paving way for the organizers, media and the football fraternity to make bold statements that the game was coming on.



C. K. Akonnor, however, disclosed that his preparations for the game, whose eventual winner will compete in the CAF Champions League, have not been affected as ‘I knew that the game could come on.’

“No, it hasn’t,” insists C. K. Akonnor. “I knew it would come on and so kept on with my preparations. I used some of our Tier-Two games as tests.  We have been taking it a match at a time, but, at the same time, been having Hearts of Oak at the back of our minds in our minds.”

One noticeable advantage is that Kotoko play better and are luckier in Accra than at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, and C. K. Akonnor is aware of it and prays that it continues on Sunday.



“I noticed it when we beat Inter Allies and the Black Meteors in our CAF Confederation Cup warm-up games in Accra. The players looked relaxed and played very well. I hope we get things right as we did in those games.”

“I want the supporters to come and fill the stadium,” says C. K. Akonnor in a clarion call to the fans. “We saw a pool of red during the Confederation Cup. That is what I yearn to see. I see a tough game, but then, we are also prepared to take on the challenge.”

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