In a pulsating MTN FA Cup Round of 16 tie at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Aduana FC pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the knockout stage by eliminating defending champions Asante Kotoko.
After a tense 90 minutes of football that ended 0–0, neither side could find the breakthrough, forcing the tie into a nail-biting penalty shootout.
The shootout saw the Dormaa-based side hold their nerve, calmly converting four spot kicks compared to Kotoko’s two, sealing a 4–2 penalty victory and booking their ticket to the MTN FA Cup quarterfinals in style.
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From the first whistle, both teams battled fiercely in midfield and on the flanks, with clear chances hard to come by. Kotoko’s attacking thrusts were met with disciplined defending from Aduana, while the visitors looked equally dangerous on the counter. Despite Kotoko’s dominance in possession at times, Aduana’s organised defensive shape kept the giants at bay.
As the match ticked into added time, tension hung thick in the air but the deadlock held, ushering the match straight to penalties.
In the lottery of penalties, Aduana’s players displayed composure under pressure. Their confident spot-kick takers struck with precision, while Kotoko saw two of their attempts saved or missed. As the final whistle blew following the shootout triumph, Aduana players celebrated wildly, having stunned one of Ghana’s most illustrious clubs.
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After the game, Kotoko head coach Abdul Karim Zito urged fans to stay patient with his rebuilding side, acknowledging the disappointment of an early exit but highlighting the work his players are putting in for the future.
For Aduana FC, it’s a rewarding victory that not only knocks out the cup holders but also boosts belief in their quest for silverware this season.
With this win, Aduana advance to the FA Cup quarterfinals, where they will face a new challenge as the competition heats up further.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Monica Bukari
