Accra Hearts of Oak produced a commanding performance to defeat their bitter rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko 2-0 in the final round of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) Top 4 competition 2025, but it was Bibiani GoldStars who lifted the trophy on head-to-head advantage.
The Phobians, who have suffered from unfavourable results against their arch-rivals in recent years, looked determined from the blast of the whistle at the University of Ghana Stadium on Sunday night.
Their quick, free-flowing football unsettled the Porcupine Warriors and yielded early dividends. Just four minutes into the clash, youngster Frank Duku finished off a brilliant 15-pass build-up by slotting between goalkeeper Ibrahim Mohammed’s legs to open the scoring.
Kotoko tried to fight back but found it difficult to penetrate Hearts’ compact defensive set-up.
In the second half, the Phobians nearly doubled their lead through Martin Karikari, whose stinging half-volley was acrobatically tipped onto the crossbar by substitute goalkeeper Mohammed Camara.
Hearts eventually made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute when Emmanuel Amankwah rose highest to head home from a corner, sealing a famous win and sending their fans into wild celebrations at Legon.
Bibiani Goldstars crowned Champions
Bibiani GoldStars enhanced their chances of clinching the 2025 GHALCA Top Four trophy after overcoming Heart of Lions 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time at the University of Ghana Stadium.
The Miners, who had earlier defeated Medeama on penalties, once again demonstrated their resilience by holding their nerve in the shoot-out to collect maximum points.
The result extends their tally to seven points, putting them in a strong position to win the pre-season competition. Lions started the encounter brightly, dominating possession and pressing GoldStars into their own half.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 37th minute when Ali Fawzi struck to give the Kpando-based side a deserved lead.
After the break, GoldStars improved significantly, matching their opponents in intensity and creativity. With time running out, striker Sampson Eduku delivered a late equaliser to force penalties.
In the shoot-out, GoldStars converted four of their spot-kicks while Lions faltered twice, handing victory to the Miners.
Despite the setback, Lions sit on four points and will take positives from their performances as they prepare for the upcoming Ghana Premier League (GPL) season.
The competition has given all four participating clubs a crucial opportunity to assess their squads ahead of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League campaign.
Despite Hearts’ impressive showing, Bibiani GoldStars were crowned champions of the mini-tournament after edging the standings on a head-to-head basis.
Both teams ended the tournament with seven points, but Goldstars’ victory over the Phobians in match week two gave them the head-to-head advantage.
The post GHALCA Top 4: Hearts of Oak humble Kotoko, but GoldStars emerges champions appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.
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