MTN FA Cup Round of 16: Aduana pip Kotoko to advance

A 59th minute spot kick expertly scored by Sam Adams was all Aduana Stars needed to edge out Kumasi Asante Kotoko with a 1-0 victory at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park at Dormaa-Ahenkro yesterday to reach the quarter-final stage of this year’s MTN FA Cup.

It was a moment of magic for the home side as Aduana's in-form striker Isaac Mintah found his way in Kotoko's vital area but was brought down by Mohammed Alhassan for referee Amadu Ibrahim to award a penalty which Adams dispatched in style.

Both sides failed to find the net in a scoreless first half during which Aduana made a lot of incursions into the goal area of their opponents but failed to capitalise on the numerous chances due to the strong presence of defender Mohammed Alhassan and the agility of Frederick Asare who kept the Porcupine Warriors in the game.

Goalkeeper Asare scored full marks when he saved a goal-bound header by Aduana's Elvis Opoku in the 24th minute as the home side kept piling the pressure in search of the opening goal.

After recess, the visitors lifted their game but the Aduana players stood their ground and matched Kotoko boot for boot.

In the early stages of the second half, Kotoko came close to scoring the opener but Aduana goalkeeper Joseph Addo saved a point-blank header to keep the game barren as the encounter turned into an exciting, end-to-end action that kept the capacity crowd at the edge of their seats.

Before the beginning of the match, the two teams observed a minute of silence in honour of the late Barima Yeboah Kodie II, the former Board Chairman of Aduana Stars who was also the Aduanahene of the Dormaa Traditional Area.

In other Round of 16 clashes, Ebusua Dwarfs defeated Akyem Kotoku Royals 1-0, Heart of Lions lost 0-1 to Skyy FC, Legon Cities defeated Volta Rangers 4-3 on penalties, Nsoatreman FC beat Debibi 7-6 on penalties and Real Tamale United defeated FC Samartex 2-1.