The 2025 MTN FA Cup final ended in dramatic and chaotic scenes as police officers were forced to form a protective ring around the referee following Asante Kotoko’s 2-1 win over Golden Kick SC.
The tension stemmed from a highly controversial 90th-minute penalty, awarded to Kotoko after striker Kwame Opoku went down under pressure from Golden Kick goalkeeper Kelvin Saaba.
Opoku converted the spot-kick to seal the victory, but the decision drew immediate and intense backlash from Golden Kick players, officials, and fans.
As the final whistle blew, Golden Kick players surrounded the referee, visibly furious, with some needing to be held back by teammates. Fans echoed the anger from the stands, shouting in protest and hurling verbal abuse at the officiating team.
In response, security personnel quickly intervened, creating a cordon around the match official to prevent escalation and safely escort him off the pitch.
Golden Kick goalkeeper Kelvin Saaba, at the center of the incident, didn’t hide his disappointment.
“I feel very bad… I didn’t touch him,” Saaba said after the match. “If this is how we’re going to play football in Ghana, then the game is not going anywhere. The referee destroyed the game.”
Despite the controversy, the result stands: Asante Kotoko are FA Cup champions for a record tenth time and will represent Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
