By: Nana Kwame Bediako
In an exciting encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Ghana’s football giants, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko, locked horns in a democracy cup match where Kotoko emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over their archrivals.
This special event was organised by the Parliament of Ghana to celebrate 30 years of parliamentary democracy.
The first half kicked off with both teams showing immense energy and skill, but it was Kotoko who drew first blood. At the 30th-minute mark, Justice Blay coolly converted a penalty to give Kotoko the lead. The goal sent Kotoko supporters into a frenzy, painting the stands in red. The scoreline remained unchanged as the referee blew the whistle for halftime, with Kotoko leading 1-0.
Hearts of Oak came back in the second half with renewed vigour and determination. Just five minutes into the half, Asamoah Boateng managed to find the back of the net, levelling the score at 1-1 and igniting hope among the Hearts’ fans. The stadium erupted with cheers and chants as the momentum seemed to shift in favour of Hearts of Oak.
However, Kotoko was not to be outdone. In the 60th minute, Peter Amidu Acquah capitalised on his chance in front of goal to give Kotoko the lead. His goal proved to be the decisive moment of the match, as Hearts of Oak could not find an equaliser despite their relentless efforts. The final whistle confirmed Kotoko’s 2-1 victory, crowning them the 2024 Democracy Cup Champions.
The importance of the match extends beyond the pitch, serving as a grand celebration of Ghana’s democratic journey. Asante Kotoko’s triumph not only earned them the prestigious cup but also the opportunity to face Major League Soccer side DC United later this year in the USA.
