Asante Kotoko claimed bragging rights in the first Super Clash of the 2025/26 Premier League season, defeating rivals Hearts of Oak 1-0 in a fiercely contested encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The decisive moment came midway through the second half when referee Collins Amoah awarded Kotoko a penalty after Amankwah Baafi clumsily brought down Peter Amidu Acquah inside the box. Morifing Donzo stepped up and coolly slotted home from the spot to seal victory for the Porcupine Warriors.

Kotoko began the match on the front foot, creating the better chances through Saaka Dauda and Hubert Gyau, while Hearts struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages. The Phobians gradually grew into the game, but their attacking efforts lacked sharpness in the final third.

Statistically, Kotoko edged the contest with six total shots, three on target, compared to Hearts’ five efforts and a single shot on goal.

The result extends Kotoko’s dominance in recent league meetings with Hearts, marking their fourth win in the last five encounters between the two giants. It also lifts the Porcupine Warriors to seventh on the league table with 13 points, just five points behind the leaders despite having three games in hand.

Hearts of Oak, meanwhile, suffered their first league defeat of the season, slipping to fifth in the standings. The Phobians will look to bounce back quickly when they face Swedru All Blacks next weekend, while Asante Kotoko turn their focus to an outstanding away trip against Vision FC.