Asante Kotoko triumphed over their arch-rivals Hearts of Oak in an exciting match to capture the inaugural Democracy Cup on Wednesday night at the Accra Sports Stadium. The match was held to commemorate 30 years of parliamentary democracy in Ghana.

This victory not only brought prestige to Asante Kotoko but also earned them a spot in a match against Major League Soccer team DC United in the United States, with the date to be announced by the organizers.

Both teams entered the match eager to redeem themselves after a disappointing season and to restore their fans’ faith ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Asante Kotoko took the lead in the 30th minute with a penalty converted by Justice Blay, maintaining their 1-0 lead into halftime.

Hearts of Oak equalized after the break with a header from new signing Asamoah Boateng Afriyie. The goal was controversial as Kotoko’s goalkeeper, Frederick Asare, was injured in the process.

However, Kotoko regained the lead when Peter Amidu capitalized on a defensive error by Hearts of Oak, securing a 2-1 victory for the Kumasi-based side.

This win provides a significant morale boost for Asante Kotoko as they prepare for the upcoming season, while Hearts of Oak must quickly find solutions to improve their performance.