In a thrilling encounter at the iconic Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Hearts of Oak ended their 175-day wait to defeat Asante Kotoko, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory despite playing the majority of the match with just 10 men.
The early breakthrough came in the 13th minute, giving the Phobians a crucial lead.
However, the game quickly became even more challenging when Emmanuel Amankwah received a second yellow card in the 28th minute, leaving Hearts of Oak a man down for over an hour.
Undeterred, they held firm, showing remarkable defensive discipline and resilience to protect their lead.
A moment of controversy occurred in first-half stoppage time when Mawuli Wayo was brought down by the “last man,” but the referee allowed play to continue without awarding a foul or card. Hearts’ composure in adversity ultimately proved decisive.
A recent table of the recent clashes between the two clubs
| Date | Competition | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 15, 2026 | Ghana Premier League | Asante Kotoko | 0 – 1 | Hearts of Oak |
| Nov 9, 2025 | Ghana Premier League | Hearts of Oak | 0 – 1 | Asante Kotoko |
| July 10, 2025 | President’s Cup | Asante Kotoko | 2 – 1 | Hearts of Oak |
| May 4, 2025 | Ghana Premier League | Hearts of Oak | 0 – 0 | Asante Kotoko |
This victory was more than just a win; it marked revenge for the Phobians and ended Kotoko’s league invincibility in Kumasi for the season. Hearts of Oak have now moved into second place, just five points behind league leaders Medeama SC, keeping their title hopes alive as the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season heads into its final stretch.
