2022 President’s Cup: Hearts of Oak vs Asante Kotoko statistical preview; where to watch the game & more

The 4-time President Cup winners, Hearts of Oak host the 8-time President Cup winners, Asante Kotoko in the 2022 President Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium this evening.

• NOTE: THE PRESIDENT CUP IS THE SAME AS THE REPUBLIC DAY CUP AND IT WAS FIRST PLAYED ON 1ST JULY, 1969.

• Republic Day Celebration Cup or President Cup is different from Independence Day Cup. Independence Day Cup was introduced in 1958 after a year of Independence.
In 2017, Ghalca organized both the Independence Cup and the Republic Day Cup (President Cup) for both Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. Hearts won the Independence Cu which was played on two legs and Asante Kotoko on the other hand won the President Cup played in Kumasi.

1st July as a Public holiday has been moved to 4th August.

• Ghana went to Republic on 1st July, 1960. The country first Presidential election was held on 27th April, 1960 and the Election was won by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah over JB Danquah.
The games played before 1960 were Independence Cup since there was no President in the country until 1960.

• NB: The new President Cup was introduced by Hon. Prince Oduro Mensah former MP for Techiman South and a former Substantive CEO of National Sports Authority, and Hon George Isaac Amoh former MP for Ayawaso West.

– They suggested to Mr J. Y. Appiah the then GHALCA Chairman to help the Organization of the competition to honour the sitting President (J. A. Kuffour) on every Republic Day Celebration.

• 1st July, 1969 (Busia Cup)
9th Republic Day Celebration
Asante Kotoko 0-1 Ebusua Dwarfs ***
Robert Kwofie
NB: Presentation of the Trophy was by Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia.

• 1st July, 1973 (Acheampong Cup)
Venue : Kumasi
13th Republic Day Celebration
Hearts of Oak 0-1 Asante Kotoko ***
Emmanuel Donkor
• NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by I. K Acheampong.

• 1st July, 1984 (Supreme Military Council)
NB: This was to Raise funds for Olympic games.
24th Republic Day Celebration.
1st Leg in kumasi
Asante Kotoko 0-0 Hearts of Oak
2nd Leg in Accra
• 8th July, 1984
Hearts of Oak 1-1 Asante Kotoko

Goal scorers : Offei Ansah scored for Hearts while Emmanuel Quaye (Joe Tex) scored for Kotoko.

NB: The trophy was awarded to Asante Kotoko for getting an away goal

NB: Presentation of the Trophy by Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.

• 1st July, 2003 (President Cup)
New Patriotic Party
43rd Republic Day Celebration
Hearts of Oak 2-0 Great Olympics
NB: Bernard Don Bortey scored brace and his second goal was from a spot kick.
NOTE: Francis Mantey of Olympics was shown Red card on the 56th minutes.

• NB: Great Olympics squandered a penalty which was Saved by GK James Nanor on the 86th minutes.

NOTE: Referee Alex Quartey

• NB Presentation of Trophy: after the game, President J. A. Kufuor presented the trophy to Emmanuel Osei Kuffour Skipper of Accra Hearts of Oak.

• 1st July, 2004 (President Cup)
New Patriotic Party
44th Republic Day Celebration.
Liberty Professionals 0-1 Asante Kotoko ***
NB: Yusif Chipsah header was enough for Kotoko on 44th minutes.
Referee William Agbovi
NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by President J. A. Kuffour together with Hon. Kojo Baah Wiredu [the late] (Minister of Education, Youth and Sports).

• 1st July, 2005 (President Cup)
New Patriotic Party
45th Republic Day Celebration
Hearts of Oak 0-1 Asante Kotoko ***
NB: George Yamoah on the 83rd minutes.
• Note : Ishmael Addo and Nii Odartey Lamptey played as quest for the respective clubs.
Referee J. K Mortey
NB Presentation of the trophy was done by the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama (the late).
NB: Artist (K. K Fosu, Tic Tac, Rex Omar and Obour).

• 1st July, 2008 (President Cup)
New Patriotic Party
48th Republic Day Celebration.
Heart of Lions 2-2 Asante Kotoko
Scorers for Lions: Dominic Adiyiah and Stephen Owusu (pen).
Scorers for Kotoko: Jordan Opoku Darko and Eric Kwabena Bekoe.
• NOTE : Asante Kotoko won 3-0 on penalties.
NB: Godfred Rockson of Lions was shown Red card.

– Heart of Lions disappointingly failed to convert any of their first three penalty kicks while Asante Kotoko scored three from four kicks with Daniel Acquah, Nii Adjei and Eric Bekoe scoring.

Referee Alex Quartey

NB: The Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama (the late) presented the trophy to Emmanuel Osei Kuffour who was Asante Kotoko captain.

• 1st July, 2009 (President Cup)
National Democratic Congress
49th Republic Day Celebration.
Hearts of Oak 1-1 Sekondi Eleven Wise
Goal scorers : Eric Gawu scored for Hearts while Winfred Dormon scored for Eleven Wise.
• NOTE: Hearts of Oak won 5-4 on penalties.
NB: Stephen Aidoo of Eleven Wise was shown Red card.

– Penalty Kicks: Francis Bossman, Karim Alhassan, Kwabena Boafo, keeper Laud Quartey and Eric Gawu converted their kicks with Samuel Affum and Douglass Nkrumah failing.
Michael Ocansey who was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Winfred Dormon, Edmund Sakyi and Yaw Nyarko scored for Xi Wise, whilst Eric Owusu, Ohene Addo, and Abdulai missed their kicks to send the Phobians into wild jubilation right into the night.
Referee Joseph Lamptey

• NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by Vice President John Dramani Mahama.

• 1st July, 2011 (President Cup)
National Democratic Congress
51st Republic Day Celebration.
Asante Kotoko 2-2 Berekum Chelsea
Scorers: Alex Asamoah and Fatau Mohammed scored for Kotoko whilst Gladson Awako and Bismarck Idan got the goals for Berekum Chelsea.
• NB: Berekum Chelsea won 8-7 on penalties.
Referee Awal Mohammed

• NB: PENALTY KICKS CONTROVERSIES:

– The negative reaction of the Asante Kotoko team was after Tamale-based referee Awal Mohammed ordered two penalty kicks by Berekum Chelsea duo, Yaw Alexander and Alfred Arthur to be re-taken, insisting that the Kotoko goalie Soulama Abdoulaye (the late) came off his line before both kicks were taken.

– Earlier, the Asante Kotoko team threatened to walkout after Berekum Chelsea’s Alfred Arthur’s kick was ordered to be re-taken following the keeper’s move from the goal line, thus halting play for close to five minutes before the Porcupine Warriors rescinded their decision following the intervention by some high ranking officials including the Vice President John Dramani Mahama.

When calm was restored, Arthur scored on the second attempt before Jackson Owusu, Abdul Basit Mohammed and Adams Ahmed also found target for Berekum Chelsea whilst Prince Anokye missed for Asante Kotoko with Ahmed Toure and Frank Boateng hitting the back of the net for the Porcupine Warriors.

• Asante Kotoko line-up: Abdoulaye Soulama, Yaw Frimpong, Sabato Mohammed, John Kuffour, Prince Anokye, Daniel Nii Adjei, David Offei, Frank Boateng, Ahmed Toure, Alex Asamoah and Haruna Ganiyu.

Subs: Aziz Ansah, Henry Owusu, Gershon Akuffo, Stephen Oduro, Fatawu Mohammed, Nathaniel Asamoah and Isaac Amoako.
Coach : Bogdan Korack

• Berekum Chelsea line-up: Ernest Sowah, Yaw Alexander, Owusu Jackson, Gladson Awako, Owusu Obed, Isaac Morgan, Edward Kpodo, Ahmed Adams, Bismark Idan, Alfred Arthur and Eric Agyemang.

Subs: Maxwell Banahene, Richard Afari, Ebenezer Odei, Kwaku Andoh, Josiah Kunde, Mohammed Abdul-Basit and Awudu Moro.
Coach : Orlando Wellington

• NB: Vice President John Dramani Mahama presented the trophy to Berekum Chelsea’s captain Abdul Basit Mohammed.

• 1st July, 2012 (President Cup)
National Democratic Congress
52nd Republic Day Anniversary Celebration Cup.
Berekum Chelsea 2-1 Asante Kotoko
Scorers: Edward Kpodo and Gladson Awako scored for Berekum Chelsea while Kofi Nti Boakye who got the first goal of the game, goal stand as a consolation for Kotoko.
Referee Samuel K. Gyasi

• NB: Presentation of the Trophy by Vice President, John Dramani Mahama.

• 1st July, 2013 (President Cup)
National Democratic Congress
53rd Republic Day Celebration.
NB: For the first time foreign clubs (TP Mazembe and Enungu Rangers) were invited to participate in the Republic Day Anniversary Cup and four clubs were also involved for the first time, and they played from Semi-finals which both TP Mazembe and Enungu Rangers lost to Hearts of Oak and Medeama SC respectively.

Hearts of Oak 2-0 Medeama SC
Mahatma Otoo got brace.
NB: Ruben Gnagne of Hearts of Oak miss penalty.
Referee Cecil Fletcher
• NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by President John Dramani Mahama.
• 3rd place
TP Mazembe 2-0 Enungu Rangers

• 1st July, 2015 (President Cup)
National Democratic Congress
55th Republic Day Celebration.
Hearts of Oak 0-0 Asante Kotoko
• NB: Hearts won 5-4 on penalties.
Hearts kicks: (Ruben Gnange, Isaac Oduro, Gilbert Fiamanyo, Richard Yamoah and Foovi Aguidi).

• Kotoko kicks: (Michael Akuffu [missed], Eric Donkor, Latif Amadu, Christopher Bonney and Dauda Mohammed)
Referee Samuel k Gyasi

• Hearts of Oak Lineup:
Soulama Abdoulaye, Fatau Mohammed, Isaac Oduro, Philip Boampong, Sabahn Laryea, Issah Mumuni, Eric Kumi, Selasi Adjei, Eric Kumi, Paul Acquah, Isaac Mensah.

• Asante Kotoko Lineup:
Ofori Antwi, Jordan Opoku, Atta Kusi, Chrsitpher Bonney, Small Boy Korbah, Amed Adams, Micheal Akkuffo, Prince Baffoe, Ahmed Toure, Obed Owusu, Eric Donkor.

• NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by President John Dramani Mahama.

• 1st July, 2016 (President Cup)
National Democratic Congress
56th Republic Day Celebration
Hearts of Oak 0-0 Asante Kotoko
NB: Kotoko won 3-2 on penalties.
Referee Awal Mohammed

• NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuye.

• Penalty Kicks:

• Asante Kotoko goalie, Ernest Sowah was in inspired form during the penalty shoot-out saving three penalty kicks to hand Kotoko victory.

– The former Berekum Chelsea goalie saved kicks from Ibrahim Musah, Paul Acquah and Patrick Razak while his opposite number, Gbeti saved once from a tame Eric Donkor effort while Samuel Kyere blasted his penalty over the bar.

• Order of Penalties:

Hearts of Oak skipper Robin Gagne stepped forward and coolly finished the first kick. Evans Quao stepped forward for Asante Kotoko and scored his too.

– Ibrahim Musah for Hearts and Eric Donkor for Kotoko, both missed their kicks.

– Paul Acquah followed for Hearts of Oak and had his kick saved before Emmanuel Osei scored for Asante Kotoko.

– Ollenu Ashittey also scored for Hearts of Oak before Samuel Kyere missed an opportunity to put Hearts of Oak ahead by over cocking his kick.

– With the kicks still at 2-2, Patrick Razak stepped forward and missed for Hearts of Oak before Asante Kotoko skipper Amos Frimpong ensured victory by finishing on the day.

• 2017 President Cup
2nd July, 2017
Venue: Kumasi
Asante Kotoko 1-1 Hearts Of Oak

• The game was tied at 1-1 with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Kotoko took the lead through Saddick Adams in the first half but Hearts responded courtesy of Kwame Kizito. The rains accompanied by strong winds forced referee William Agbovi to halt proceedings.

• NB: The match was rescheduled for Monday, 3rd July at exactly 3pm.

• Monday, 3rd July, 2017
Asante Kotoko 0-0 Hearts of Oak
• NB: Kotoko won 4-1 on penalties.
The match eventually ended goal-less and a winner needed to be decided by the shoot-out. Kotoko went up first and their captain Amos Frimpong found the target. Hearts, on the hand, started poorly with Atingah missing his kick. Evans Quao scored his kick but Robin Gnagne blasted his over the bar. Jackson Owusu was successful as was Hearts’ Richard Akrofi.

• Then, Saddick Adams finished the Phobians off with a calm penalty after a strong run-up aimed at throwing Hearts’ goalie Ben Mensah off. Kotoko keep the trophy they won last year in addition to GHS 10,000 in prize money.

• The presentation was done by Hon Isaac Asiamah, Youth and Sports Minister.

• 22nd December, 2019 (President Cup)
Asante Kotoko 2-1 Hearts of Oak
Naby Laye Keita//Kofi Kordzi, Mohammed Alhassan (OG)

• LET’S LOOK AT THE REPUBLIC DAY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CUP (PRESIDENT CUP) WINNERS:

Asante Kotoko : 8 times.
Hearts of Oak : 4 times.
Berekum Chelsea : 2 times.
Ebusua Dwarfs : 1 time.

MATCH FACTS

• Today encounter will be the 198th meetings between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko since 8th August, 1954 at the Kumasi Jackson Park which Kotoko won by 3-0.

• LET’S LOOK AT ALL MATCHES PLAYED AT THE ACCRA SPORTS STADIUM INCLUDING FRIENDLIES SINCE 5TH SEPTEMBER, 1954

Total matches played – 103
Hearts of Oak wins – 31
Goals scored – 107
Asante Kotoko wins – 36
Goals scored – 107
Drawn games – 36

• All-time trophy meetings – 49 times but 6 of them were not Declared
Trophies played – 43
Hearts of Oak wins – 20
Asante Kotoko wins – 23

• CUP FINAL MEETINGS IN THE MONTH OF MARCH.

Total matches played – 5
Hearts of Oak wins – 1
Asante Kotoko wins – 3
Drawn games – 1

• NB: Independence Cup game in 2001 was played on 4th March, 2001 (21 YEARS TODAY). The game ended 1-1 in Accra. George Eranio scored first for Hearts before it was levelled by Togolese player, Frank Atsou. The game produced three red cards. George Eranio and Charles Allotey for Hearts and Isaac Owusu ‘Ninja’ for Kotoko. It was officiated by Referee Ibrahim Iddrisu from Tamale.
There was no declaration of a winner (trophy) after the game.

• CUP MEETINGS ON FRIDAY.

• Friday, 4th June, 1999 (June 4 Cup/Accra Millennium Cup.
Hearts of Oak 0-1 Asante Kotoko ***
Gordon Ablordey

• Friday, 1st July, 2005
Hearts of Oak 0-1 Asante Kotoko ***
George Yamoah

• Friday, 1st July, 2016
Hearts of Oak 0-0 Asante Kotoko
• NB: Kotoko won 3-2 on penalties.

• NB: Asante Kotoko have won the last three cup final meetings against Hearts of Oak.

• THE COACHES FACTOR

• Hearts of Oak Coach, Samuel Boadu has met Asante Kotoko on seven (7) occasions including NC tournament in 2019. He has won 4, drew 2 and lost 1.

• Asante Kotoko coach, Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum has met Hearts of Oak four (4) times. He has won 1, drew 2 and lost 1.

• MATCH OFFICIALS

• Gabriel Opoku Arhin will be the center referee for this clash. The 32 year old Journalist will be the man in charge of the game.

• Gabriel Opoku Arhin will be assisted by Ali Timuah Baah (Assistant I) and Freeman Awuloo (Assistant II) while Philip Arthur Forson serves as the Fourth official with Moses Abaidoo Mensah acting as the Match Commissioner.

WHERE TO WATCH:

The game will be live on GTV Sports plus and StarTimes Adepa Channel 247 at exactly 6:00 PM.