Accra Hearts of Oak secured a famous 1-0 victory over their traditional rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday. It was a massive win for the Phobians, marking their first victory in Kumasi since 2015. This ends a difficult run of 11 years without a win at the venue, a period that included seven consecutive visits where they failed to take maximum points.
The hero of the day was goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, whose outstanding performance earned him the Man of the Match award.
His saves were crucial in keeping Kotoko at bay and securing the vital three points for his side.
After the game, Asare spoke about the team’s belief and what the result means for their season. He stated that the league title race is still open for any of the top teams. According to him, the key is determination on the field. “If we continue to win our matches, we have a great chance,” Asare said. He added that winning the league would be a huge opportunity for the squad and that most of the players deserve it. He believes the victory in Kumasi will make the team more aggressive and focused in the matches ahead.
The goalkeeper also addressed the presence of the Black Stars head coach and other technical team members at the game. He admitted that it was a big motivation for him, as playing for the national team is his dream. He felt his performance was good and hopes the officials will continue to watch him. He thanked the GFA officials for attending, saying it made the game more exciting.
Finally, Asare expressed his gratitude to the fans. He thanked supporters from both Hearts of Oak and Kotoko for coming out in large numbers, noting that such a big crowd is not often seen for league matches. “I’m very grateful to everyone,” he concluded.