The national football season ends officially on Sunday, June 15, with a dicey Ghana FA Cup final between Asante Kotoko and lower division Golden Kick at Legon Stadium.
As football fans anxiously wait for the GFA to clear all outstanding issues concerning the Premier League, Asante Kotoko fans, especially, are nursing the ambition to win their 9th FA Cup title and chase the 12 being held by the Phobians and possibly return to Africa after a long absence.
In fact, Kotoko were the first winners of the FA Cup in 1958 following the dramatic 4-2 win over traditional rivals Hearts of Oak.
I have just retrieved from my archives a report on that historic match published in the Daily Graphic by Kofi Badu, easily the greatest sportswriter the nation has produced.
Here we go: “Ladies and gentlemen, drink to the toast of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, champion of champions 1958.”
Yes indeed, they are on this devastating form they showed when beating Accra Hearts of Oak 4-2 in the Aspro Cup final at the Accra Sports Stadium yesterday.
This was a cup final with everything in it, from modern crisp passes to the age-long high, high-long kicks. The match even had that rough, manly touch, not counting the cranky little kicks that went unnoticed by the tubby referee.
Hearts lost by a margin of two goals, and it could well have been three goals had the referee not ruled out a Salisu goal, which I thought was perfectly legal. But don’t please get away with the idea that Hearts were beaten with their hands tied down. They offered great resistance. They seemed to have the game cut and dry with a two-minute blitz in which they led 2-0. Their forwards combined effectively. But absent was that fighting spirit in adversity, that steadiness of defence, and, to a great extent, that capable goalkeeping you need to become champion of champions.
A feeling of excitement and expectancy ran through a sea of heads that filled every space in the 25,000 capacity stadium as first Hearts and then Kotoko came trotting to the field. After a brief knocking about and introductions to the national coach George Ainsley and the stage was set for the most dramatic match of the year. The kick off and it was Kotoko feeling its way through, playing on the right where Baba Yara and Asebi Boakye were dominant.
Two minutes gone, Hearts took over, and for the whole of the first half, they were definitely the better side. Their moves were better planned and better executed. Inside, Agyiri Fynn and Amadu Akuse combined nicely and Ofei Dodoo’s constant raids down the right wing threatened the Kotoko defence which held on gallantly.
Ten minutes from the start, Hearts missed an open goal when Agyiri Fynn, all alone, with only goalkeeper Kwao Baffoe to beat, panicked and allowed the goalkeeper to dive onto his feet to collect the ball. Two minutes later, a beautiful pass from Ofei Dodoo just needed C. K Gyamfi but Rafiu trapped it feinted to beat Moro Gago and put the ball ahead for Agyiri Fynn, whose left-footed drive just missed the net. Hearts were obviously on top at this stage, and all the Kotoko supporters could thank themselves for the superb defensive work of centre half Moro Gago. A short glance at the watch told me it was 4:31pm. Hearts, attacking powerfully, had swarmed all over
Kotoko and C. K. Gyamfi from the left wing hit the inside of the crossbar with a hard shot. The ball bounced back into the crowded area. Kwao Baffoe fell trying to gather it, and after a series of short passes, Ofei Dodoo slammed the ball into the goal. Hearts went one goal up and the start of the four minutes of tense drama in which three goals were scored. 4:33 pm, a long clearance by Addo Odametey brought another goalmouth scramble. C. K. Gyamfi collected the ball, feinted, and in a flash banged it into the net.
Hearts are two goals up. 4:35pm, Kotoko, undismayed, attacked strongly and forced a corner kick. Adu Darko headed away the kick well taken by Kotoko’s Kobina Badu Coker, but Salisu trapped it and, with a first-time shot, put the ball at the back of the net. Hearts 2, Kotoko 1, and you couldn’t have heard a hydrogen bomb explosion.
Inspired by this, Kotoko continued to attack, but soon they were pressed down by strong tackling by Hearts’ Addo Odametey and Adu Darko. C.K. Gyamfi, injured in a tackle, was limping on the left wing,g but there was still enough strength in the Hearts attack to give the Kotoko defence some anxious moments.
As the whistle went for halftime with Hearts still holding their 2-1 lead, fans wondered what the stage would be like. Could Hearts keep up their splendid display in the first half, or will they melt under the usual Kotoko fighting spirit?
It did not take long to decide in the second half. Just two minutes from resumption of play, and unfortunately, it took a penalty, hardly given for accidental handling, to break up all that Hearts had and give Kotoko a firm grip on the game.
Baba Yara gave goalkeeper Addoquaye Laryea no chance with a dynamic low kick to pull level at two all. Kotoko piled on the pressure, and Hearts’ attacks were limited to some spasmodic bursts. Ofei Dodoo looking dangerous, went through from the right wing, but Moro Gago, with a strong effort disposed him of the ball.
Kotoko came back strongly with half-backs Opoku Mensah and Kobina Badu backed up their attacks and Baba Yaa went all over the field scheming.
From another goalmouth scramble Asebi Boakye drove a hard shot straight at goalkeeper Addoquaye Laryea who failed to gather, and the ball bounced off his chest into Baba Yara, who failed to get it, but inside left Kwakye was there just in time to put his team 3-2 ahead.
Kotoko, with victory in sight, played clever, confident football, but Hearts made two strong efforts to let the nuts out of the blazing fire. Once Addo Odametey made 50 yard solo run, baffled the defence and shot hard at goal. Kwao Baffoe displaying magnificent goalkeeping, saved it.
Five minutes later, he made two almost superlative saves when Ofei Dodoo went all out for goals.
The scores remained static till three minutes to closing time, when another Kotoko attack developed from the centre circle finished with Asebi Boakye beating Addoquaye Laryea with a low shot.
Four goals to two and Hearts, courageously though they fought, had been well and truly beaten.
It was a superb match worthy of the tremendous support given to it, and victory came to the deserving team.”
Cheers, everybody, and keep loving sports.
By Ken Bediako
