Good evening and welcome to the live text coverage of the clash between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko this evening.
The two most glamourous clubs are going head to head this evening to battle for glory in the 2022 edition of the President’s Cup.
Ahead of kick-off at 18:00GMT, Hearts of Oak head coach Samuel Boadu has named an unchanged starting eleven from the league meeting against today’s opponent.
High-flying goalkeeper Richard Attah is in the post with cover from a defensive back four that includes Robert Addo Sowah and Mohammed Alhassan.
Veteran midfielder Sulley Muntari starts again with Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Kwadwo Obeng Jnr leading the lines for the Phobians.
❤️💛💙
This is how we lineup against kotoko in the President's Cup.#AHOSC#PositiveEnergy#Phobia110 pic.twitter.com/nGhbjo9792
— Phobians - GPLChampions🏅🏆 (@HeartsOfOakGH) March 4, 2022
Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum has also paraded his strongest starting eleven for the Hearts of Oak match.
Midfielder Justice Blay has replaced Dickson Afoakwa from the team that drew goalless with Hearts of Oak in the first meeting in the Ghana Premier League.
Striker Frank Etouga Mbella is leading the lines for the Reds and will be relied on for goals in a game where the Porcupine Warriors are pushing for a win to return to Kumasi with glory.
Our WARRIORS to face Hearts tonight!!#AKSC #HeartsKotoko pic.twitter.com/fQ1cGu991G
— Asante Kotoko SC (@AsanteKotoko_SC) March 4, 2022
We are just an hour away from kick-off at the Accra Sports Stadium. Who wins the 2022 President's Cup.
There has been a slight delay to the kick-off for the game. Minute by minutes action will follow soon.
Finally, the two teams have come out of the tunnel. Kick-off is now upon us in a few minutes under the bright floodlights at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Houston there will be a further delay. The President of the land, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has arrived at the stadium and now exchanging pleasantries with players of both teams.
President @NAkufoAddo has arrived at the stadium and the pre-match formalities have begun, starting with the national anthem!!#AKSC #HEAKOT #PresidentCup22 pic.twitter.com/s5JMST7m4O
— Asante Kotoko SC (@AsanteKotoko_SC) March 4, 2022
Kick off:
1' We are off at the Accra Sports Stadium. It is Asante Kotoko that kicks us off for this evening's President Cup against Hearts of Oak.
3' A few fouls here and there in the first minutes of the game. This should be an exciting one.
5' It has been a dominating performance from Asante Kotoko in the first five minutes of this game. No real chance created though.
7' Hearts of Oak made to do a lot of defending but so far living up to the task.
9' Hearts of Oak gradually growing into the game. A sweet through ball from Sully Muntari is intercepted to stop the Hearts of Oak attack.
13' Imoro connects with Lamptey's deep pass to send in a cut-back pass, but he's unlucky as the ball fails to find a teammate.
15' Etouga is found close at the far post inside the box, he dummies his marker but can't quite skew a perfect pass in that tight corner as his effort hits the side net.
20' Richmond Lamptey connects with Mfegue's cross inside the box, but has his low header going narrowly wide. It is fair to say that Asante Kotoko have been the better side in the first 20 minutes of the game.
23' Sulley Muntari clashes with Mudasiru Salifu in midfield. The Hearts of Oak man wins a free kick and patches things up with his marker. Fair play right there.
27' Asante Kotoko wins a corner, ball is put in a dangerous area but there is no connection.
30' CHANCE' Hearts have a corner after Danlad tipped a dangerous shot over the bar. The resulting kick is checked. Salim Adams almost scored with a long-range effort.
34' Hearts of Oak in the last 10 minutes have taken control of the game. It is now end-to-end stuff.
40' Free kick for Hearts of Oak in a dangerous position. Sulley Muntari takes but his effort heading for the top corner is parried away by goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim.
43' Frank Etouga finds himself one on one with Mohammed Alhassan, he smartly goes past his marker but the effort at goal is saved.
45' Calls for a penalty but the Hearts of Oak fans but it is waved away by the referee. We will do just a minute of added time.
Halftime:
That will be all the action for the first half. Hearts of Oak 0-0 Asante Kotoko. We will be back after 15 minutes with the second half action.
🕒45+1' Hearts 0:0 #AKSC
Half Time
It's barren at the break. We meet again soon!!
#AKSC #HEAKOT pic.twitter.com/x33RPRWMtK
— Asante Kotoko SC (@AsanteKotoko_SC) March 4, 2022
Second half:
46' The 2022 President's Cup has restarted at the Accra Sports Stadium. This time it is Hearts of Oak with the first kick of the ball. Who gets to score first?
48' A strong start from the Phobians in the second half sees Kotoko struggling to defend. Justice Blay commits a foul in midfield and sees the yellow card for his offense.
51' Goal!!!!! Hearts of Oak take a deserved lead after a strong start to the first half. Daniel Afriyie Barnieh with the goal for the Phobians. Game on!!!
53' Trouble for Asante Kotoko after conceding a bad free-kick. Sulley Muntari sends in a drive from long range. His effort is on target but Danlad Ibrahim was alert and parried the ball away. Corner kick for the Phobians. Kotoko finally deals with the danger.
56' Asante Kotoko goes on a dangerous counter-attack. Frank Mbella tries to cut back a cross but his effort is thwarted. Hearts of Oak now in possession.
58' SUBSTITUTION: Richard Boadu replaces Richmond Lamptey in midfield.
61' Goal!! No, wait. It has been overruled. Asante Kotoko scored but it has been disallowed due to a foul in the action leading to the goal.
64' Asante Kotoko rushing their attacks in the last few minutes. The team appears eager to restore parity. So far, no real threat created.
68' Fans cheer the efforts of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh after a lovely control of the football. Great football from the Phobians.
71' A free-kick for Asante Kotoko in a good area. A good delivery can result in a goal. Unfortunately for fans, it has been wasted.
73' SUBSTITUTION: Samuel Boateng is introduced to replace Mudasiru Salifu.
75' GOAL!!! Substitute Samuel Boateng scores with a fantastic strike to restore parity for Asante Kotoko.
78' Salim Adams is shown the yellow card for a bad tackle.
80' We are into the last 10 minutes of the game.
82' Tripple substitution for Hearts of Oak. Gladson Awako, Caleb Amankwah, and Patrick Razak brought in to help Hearts of Oak to find the winning goal.
85' Nervy last five minutes of this contest. Will there be a winner before full-time?
89' GOAL!!! Patrick Razak off the bench scores for Hearts of Oak with just a minute to end the game. Will this win it for the Phobians.
90' Suraj Seidu replaces the injured Daniel Afriyie Barnieh. We will do three minutes of added time.
FULL TIME: It is all over at the Accra Sports Stadium. Late Patrick Razak strike wins the 2022 President's Cup for Hearts of Oak.