Match Report: Hearts of Oak 0-0 Asante Kotoko - Phobians edge rivals on shootouts to retain President's Cup

By El Akyereko Frimpong

At the Accra Sports Stadium

Accra Hearts of Oak retained their President Cup title after triumphing over bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko 5-4 on penalties in the 2015 President Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium. 

Michael Akuffo missed Kotoko's opening kick while Togolese Foovi Aguidi converted the last kick of the game for the Phobians.

Hearts of Oak went into the tie as defending champions after beating Medeama SC in the 2013 edition but knew they had to work extra to overcome their bitterest rivals before home fans.

Hearts won on shootouts en route to their last success in the competition as they eliminated DR Congo giants TP Mazembe and the repeated the feat against Kotoko.

Though the clash was confirmed 48 hours to kick-off fans turned out to offer support to their respective clubs on the holiday.

Asante Kotoko trekked to Accra in search of ceremonial revenge before they travel back to the same venue for their Ghana Premier League return leg next month.

The Phobians created numerous chances in the opening quarter of hour but attacker Eric Kumi generously left Kotoko off the hook. While Kotoko were struggling to settle into the field, youngster Isaac Mensah perpetuated his orchestrations of fomenting turmoils in the final third of the Kotoko field.

In the 17th and 27th minutes were moments Hearts should have taken advantage of Kotoko's defensive organizational flaw but Kumi's finishing was always a big relief for Eric Ofori Antwi who was kept busy in most parts of the first-half.

Early minutes of the second-half brought low intensity which seemingly justified the fans booing of both teams as they file out of the tunnel for the resumption of the second half. Fans had enjoyed an exciting display from lilliputian talents who thrilled the audience during the recess.

It was Kotoko who had the first real chance after the break. Hearts of Oak's defense failed to deal with a goalmouth melee and the ball fell to Eric Donkor who unbelievably fired wild. The reaction to his miss was greeted with disappointed from the Kotoko bench coach David Duncan striking the air in anguish.

Kotoko gradually settled into the game and Abdoulaye Soulama had to be at his best to deflect a Ahmed Toure's non-drop thunderous strike. The Burkina Faso international applied a powerful volley to a Prince Baffoe cross and Soulama reacted with an equally great save.

Duncan appeared to have spotted the weakness in his defense and introduced Akwasi Acheampong to take the place of Smallboy Korblah.

Issah Mumuni was booked for felling a Kotoko midfielder in the 61st minute before Eric Kumi also went into the referee's pocket for his theatrical works inside the Kotoko box.

Kotoko rattled the crossbar moments later to liven up the game but Hearts resumed their orchestrations with Gilbert Fiamenyo replacing Paul Acquah. Isaac Mensah commenced his machinations with his quick-feet and impressive trickery combined with artful displays. Isaac Oduro also showed flashes of brilliance but it was Mensah who continued to moderate Hearts' tirade.

Foovi Aguidi entered the fray ten minutes from time taking the place of Isaac Mensah as neither side failed to score. There was still more time for Eric Donkor to waste one of the best chances of the half.

Michael Akuffo missed his opening kick while Hearts of Oak converted all their kicks to win retain the crown for Hearts of Oak.