Asante Kotoko survived a late scare to win 5-4 on penalties over Accra Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium in the NC Special Competition semi finals game after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation.
The Porcupine Warriors started the game brightly and piled pressure on Hearts of Oak as they retreated into their shells on numerous occasions.
The deadlock was broken in the fifth minute by Abdul Fatawu Safiu after a neat build up on the right involving Kwame Boahene and Naby Keita.
The Guinean attacker laid the ball for Fatawu who hit a superb low drive to the back of the net for the opener.
Kotoko continued their momentum until the Phobians seized the midfield with some wonderful display but they found Abdul Wahab a tough customer at the back as he single-handedly dealt with most of the attacks.
Hearts of Oak on the other hand had two clear chances but young goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim was in hand to save the situation as the first half ended 1-0 in favor of the Porcupine Warriors.
Accra Hearts of Oak started the second half by bringing on Kofi Kordzi for the ineffective Kwame Obeng Junior and it nearly paid off as the bulky attacker found space to set up skipper Fatawu Mohammed but he agonizingly shot off target.
Kotoko launched a counter attack in the 56th minute and had a freekick but Fatawu’s kick from 30 yards missed the upright.
Coach CK Akonnor decided to use the midfield and withdrew winger Kwame Boahene for central midfielder Stephen Nyarko in the 65th minute.
Both teams decided to play cautious with cards flashing in and out every minute.
Accra Hearts of Oak decided to use Kofi Kordzi as a decoy in the final end of the pitch but Abdul Wahab Adams who had been on top throughout the game held the Phobians attackers at bay.
Veteran midfielder Jordan Opoku replaced Naby Laye Keita with twelve minutes to go as Kotoko left only Fatawu upfront as the lone striker.
Hearts of Oak nearly got the equalizer in the 83rd minute but Kofi Kordzi’s strike from 25 yards missed the post by inches to the relief of the the Kotoko faithfuls.
The Phobians continued to pile pressure pushing more men upfront and got a penalty in the 94th minute after a contentious hand ball.
Christopher Bonney stepped up and hit the ball to the roof of the net for the equalizer.
Asante Kotoko netted all their penalty kicks as Mohammed Alhassan missed his kick to end the game 5-4 in favor of the visitors.