Hearts of Oak’s unbeaten run in the 2025/2026 Ghana Premier League came to an abrupt end after a fiercely contested 1-0 defeat to rivals Asante Kotoko on Matchday 9.
A first-half penalty expertly dispatched by Morifing Donzo secured all three points for the Porcupine Warriors in a match defined by high intensity, controversy and missed opportunities.
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From the opening whistle by referee Reginald Amoah Collins, both teams charged forward with urgency, searching for an early advantage that never came.
Hearts’ forward Frank Eduku Abora worked tirelessly but found Kotoko goalkeeper Mohammed Camara in inspired form, denying the Phobians every half-chance that fell their way.
The breakthrough arrived on the stroke of halftime when Peter Amidu was brought down in the box, prompting referee Collins to point to the spot. Donzo stepped up and slotted home with composure.
The second half saw Hearts of Oak attempt to mount a response, but their build-up repeatedly collapsed in the final third. A defensive miscue by Kelvin Osei Asibey nearly gifted Kotoko a second, but the chance went wasted. Kotoko captain Samba Oneil later came close with a glancing header that drifted narrowly wide.
Drama spiked late on when Mohammed Hussein thought he had equalised for Hearts, only for referee Collins to rule the effort offside, sparking heated protests. Despite pressing harder in the closing moments, Hearts could not find the cutting edge to level the match.
