Asante Kotoko Aims to Bounce Back Against Heart of Lions In GHALCA Top 4

Asante Kotoko Aims to Bounce Back Against Heart of Lions In GHALCA Top 4

By: Isaac Amponsah(Dr Ike) and Aaron Kintoh 

Asante Kotoko are eager to bounce back from a disappointing defeat as they prepare to welcome Heart of Lions at the Legon Sports Stadium in match day two of the 2025 GHALCA Top Four tournament. 

The Porcupine Warriors recorded a 2:1 defeat to Gold Stars in the opening fixture of the tournament, with Albert Amoah scoring the game's opener for the opponents.

Heart of Lions, under the management of Bashir Hayford, suffered a painful 1:0 loss to Hearts of Oak on Wednesday. This match presents an opportunity for revenge against Hearts of Oak, especially after their 2:0 loss on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Under his leadership, Heart of Lions has shown significant improvement, including a notable win against Asante Kotoko. The team's performance has been marked by determination and a renewed sense of belief, thanks to Bashir Hayford's tactical expertise.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD IN THE GHALCA TOP 4 TOURNAMENT SINCE 2004.

• This fixture will be the sixth time Heart of Lions and Asante kotoko will be meeting in the Ghalca Top 4 competition.

• January 22, 2006 (Day 1) [2005 Top 4]
Heart of Lions vs Asante Kotoko [3-0 awarded: abandoned at 1-1 in 87', Kotoko walked off protesting a penalty decision].

• NB: Asante Kotoko withdrew on 28th January, 2006 and were replaced by RTU. 

• September 3, 2008: Asante Kotoko 3-0 Heart of Lions (Day 3) [2008 Top 4]
• September 27, 2008: Heart of Lions 1-0 Asante Kotoko (Day 6) [2008 Top 4]

• September 2, 2009: Asante Kotoko 0-1 Heart of Lions (Day 3) [2010 Top 4]
• September 9, 2009: Heart of Lions 2-1 Asante Kotoko (Day 4) [2010 Top 4]

Total games played          - 5
Heart of Lions wins          - 4 
Goals scored                     - 7
Asante Kotoko wins         - 1
Goals scored                     - 4
Drawn games                    - 0

• In the 2014 edition of Ghalca Top 4, the new format reduced the number of matches to 5 after the organizers adopted a knockout format to be played on a home-and-away basis.

Fixtures:
• Heart of Lions vs Hearts of Oak 
• Asante Kotoko vs Ashanti Gold 

• NB: The winners of the return legs advanced to the final, meaning Kotoko and Lions didn't meet.

• Head-to-Head in other competitions:

• June 7, 2015: Heart of Lions 3-1 Asante Kotoko (Day 16) [2014-15 Ghana Premier League]

• September 17, 2023: Asante Kotoko 0-0 Heart of Lions (Day 1) [2023-24 Ghana Premier League]

• February 25, 2024: Heart of Lions 1-0 Asante Kotoko (Day 18) [2023-24 Ghana Premier League]

• November 3, 2024: Asante Kotoko 0-1 Heart of Lions (Day 9) [2024-25 Ghana Premier League]

• April 6, 2025: Heart of Lions 1-1 Asante Kotoko (Day 26) [2024-25 Ghana Premier League]

• Asante Kotoko are winless in their last five (5) games against Heart of Lions in all competitions (D2 L3 GF2 GA6).

• Match Facts:

Heart of Lions have won twice in the GHALCA Top 4 tournament since the beginning of the competition in 2002 (2005, 2009).

• The last time Heart of Lions won the GHALCA Top 4 trophy was the 2009 edition (16 years ago).

• Asante Kotoko have won trice in the GHALCA Top 4 tournament since it's inception in the 2002 (2003, 2007, 2015).

• The last time Asante Kotoko won the GHALCA Top 4 trophy was the 2015 edition (10 years ago).

• The last time we had Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak and Heart of Lions competing in the GHALCA Top 4 tournament was the 2014 edition, which Ashanti Gold won that edition.

• In the 2025 edition, Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak and Heart of Lions will be participating in the competition again.

• Coach Abdul Karim Zito of Asante Kotoko since his return to the side has guided the club to win three trophies already:
• 2025 President Cup
• 2025 Toyota Cup in Sunth Africa 
• 2025 MTN FA Cup 
 
• Coach Zito is determined to win the 2025 GHALCA Top 4 trophy for Asante Kotoko.

• Coach Bashir Hayford of Heart Of Lions have won the GHALCA Top 4 trophy on three occasions with three different clubs (Heart of Lions in 2005, Asante Kotoko in 2007 and Ashanti Gold in 2014).

• Coach Bashir Hayford of Heart Of Lions prevented Asante Kotoko from winning the 2024-25 Ghana Premier League trophy because of his past mystery. Kotoko have failed to win the GPL in all the previous 4 occasions that coach Bashir Hayford have won an away game at Kotoko Home grounds.

1998
Koforidua Stadium 
Asante Kotoko              0-1 Afienya United 
Ablade Morgan

• 2006-07 season (Day 6) 
Konongo
Asante Kotoko              0-1 Heart of Lions
Eric Agyei

• 2010-11 season (Day 1) 
Baba Yara Sports Stadium 
Asante Kotoko              0-1 Medeama SC 
Richard Mpong

• 2024-25 season (Day 9)
Len Clay Stadium 
Asante Kotoko              0-1 Heart of Lions
Kwadwo Obeng Junior