Asante Kotoko emerged victorious in the 2025 Toyota Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout win over South African giants Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, July 26.
The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes of regulation time, but it was goalkeeper Mohammed Camara who stole the spotlight by saving four penalty kicks, ensuring a 3-2 win for the Porcupine Warriors in the shootout.
Kotoko’s head coach, Karim Zito, fielded a strong starting XI, featuring the likes of Camara, newly appointed captain Samba O’Neil, striker Kwame Opoku, and recent additions Lord Adabo and Seth Kwadwo.
The opening half was relatively uneventful, with both sides failing to create any clear-cut chances. Kotoko came closest in the 14th minute when Kwame Opoku headed wide from a well-placed cross.
After the break, Kotoko stepped up their intensity and earned a free kick and a corner in quick succession, but they couldn’t capitalize. Kaizer Chiefs grew into the game and tested Camara, who was alert to deny a powerful cross from Shinga. A long-range strike from Tshabalala also rattled the crossbar, keeping the pressure on the Ghanaian side.
In the 69th minute, a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Patrick Asiedu denied Lilepo a near-certain goal after he was picked out by Tshabalala. The South Africans were awarded a penalty with just seven minutes to play when Pule Mmodi was brought down in the box. However, captain Inacio Miguel squandered the chance, firing his shot wide.
With neither team able to find a breakthrough in normal time, the game was decided on penalties. Mohammed Camara’s heroics between the sticks proved decisive, as he saved four spot-kicks to hand Asante Kotoko the coveted trophy.
It was a night to remember for the Guinean shot-stopper and a morale-boosting win for the Kumasi-based club as they continue their pre-season preparations.
