Kotoko Advances in MTN FA Cup on Late Amidu Goal

Asante Kotoko narrowly avoided an FA Cup upset, battling back from a goal down to defeat Future Stars FC 2-1 in a dramatic Round of 64 tie played in Ejisu on Wednesday.

The lower-division side stunned the defending champions with an early goal, putting Kotoko under sustained pressure and disrupting their usual flow. The Porcupine Warriors, expected to cruise through the encounter, found themselves trailing and forced to dig deep.

Kotoko coach Abdul Karim Zito injected fresh legs into the team during the second half, making several substitutions to intensify the attack. This tactical adjustment eventually bore fruit in the 72nd minute when Hubert Gyau capitalized on a defensive lapse, firing a powerful shot past the Future Stars goalkeeper to restore parity.

As the game appeared destined for a penalty shootout, Peter Amidu emerged as the hero for Kotoko. Deep into added time, an unmarked Amidu pounced on a loose ball in the box, unleashing an unstoppable strike that sealed the victory in the dying seconds.

This hard-fought win ensures Kotoko’s FA Cup title defense remains on track, as they aim to emulate their success from the previous season, where they triumphed over Golden Kicks in the final. “We knew it would be a tough game,” stated Coach Zito after the match. “Future Stars played very well and gave us a real scare, but the boys showed great character to fight back and win.”

The result demonstrates the competitiveness of lower-tier Ghanaian football and highlights Kotoko’s resilience in the face of adversity.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE