Asante Kotoko emerged victorious in the 2026 Democracy Cup after defeating arch-rivals Hearts of Oak in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, adding another memorable chapter to Ghana's biggest football rivalry.
In a fiercely contested Super Clash, both sides battled relentlessly throughout regulation time, with neither side able to find the decisive breakthrough.
With the match level at the final whistle, the winner was decided from the penalty spot. Kotoko held their nerve in the shootout, converting their crucial kicks while Hearts faltered at key moments, allowing the Porcupine Warriors to secure the trophy in front of their jubilant home fans.
The victory hands Kotoko early-season momentum ahead of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League campaign and gives them the bragging rights after overcoming their fiercest rivals on home soil.
The Democracy Cup, staged to celebrate Ghana's democratic journey, once again delivered a fitting spectacle as two of the country's most decorated clubs produced another unforgettable contest.
Hearts of Oak will now turn their attention to the start of the new league season, where they will open their campaign with a home fixture against Berekum Chelsea.
Asante Kotoko, meanwhile, will carry the confidence from their Democracy Cup triumph into their season opener, as they travel to face newly promoted Debibi United in their first league match of the 2026/27 campaign.
