MTN FA Cup: Saddick Adams hattrick hands Kotoko win

Kotoko won the 2017 MTN FA Cup after beating rivals Hearts of Oak 3-1 at the Tamale Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Kotoko took advantage of an early opportunity when striker Saddick Adams capitalized on a blunder from Vincent Atinga as the former Ghana U17 star made no mistake when he calmly slotted home from 6 yards.

The Porcupine Warriors after the goal grew in confident and continued to push the game to the Phobians and came close to score the second when winger Kwame Boahene had his half volley saved by Hearts goalkeeper Benjamin Mensah.

Hearts gradually took over the game and dominated possession midway in the first half with winger Patrick Razak, Winful Cobbinah and Kwame Kizito causing few problems to the Kotoko defense.

A needless challenge on the path of Hearts defender Richard Akrofi on Saddick Adams in the 18-yard box saw referee Latif Adaari awarding a penalty to Kotoko on the half hour mark.

Saddick Adams stepped forward and placed the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Benjamin Mensah.

The game however came to a halt when Saddick Adams looked to have picked-up a nasty injury but was able to return to action after receiving treatment from the Kotoko medical team.

Adams got his hat-trick on the day when he ones again capitalized on a Vincent Atinga mistake after the defender failed to head the ball to his goalkeeper which saw the marksman (Saddick Adams) popping up from behind and got his way past goalkeeper Benjamin Mensah before slotting the ball into a yawning net.

Hearts lifted their game in the second half dominating and nearly got a consolation in the 53rd minute when danger man Patrick Razak outwitted three Kotoko defenders in the penalty box but eventually had his final effort blocked.

Hearts Coach Frank Nuttal introduced striker Cosmos Dauda to replace midfielder Malik Akowuah who had been booked in the first half for a reckless challenge on Kotoko winger Kwame Boahene.

Hearts rewarded themselves with their dominant display in the second half when Captain Thomas Abbey scored a brilliant header in the 58th minute, the midfielder rose above Kotoko center-back Ahmed Adams and headed the ball into the net from a Fatawu Mohammed cross. The goal however sparked light in Hearts of Oak’s game as they continue to pile pressure on their opponent. Striker Kwame Kizito’s long range strike went just above the post.

The Phobians were however potent in attack as they created some good opportunities but would be denied by the heavily-manned Kotoko defense.

Coach Steve Polack of Kotoko brought on Edwin Tuffour Frimpong to replace Seth Opare in the 77th minute.

Hearts continued to pushed forward in an attempt t reduce the deficit but all effort would yield no result as the failed to get the ball at the back of the net.

Kotoko are now just a trophy short off Hearts of Oak who are still the record holders of the FA Cup competition having won it 19 times.

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