MTN FA Cup: Golden Kick vs a rebuilding giant — The final no one predicted

The 2024/25 FA Cup final will be unique. This season has been full of surprises and drama. Now, Golden Kick, a Division One underdog, faces Asante Kotoko. Kotoko is a historic giant in Ghanaian football but currently struggles.

This final is not just about winning a trophy. It represents legacy versus longing and tradition versus tenacity. It’s experience against youthful exuberance.

Asante Kotoko reached the final after a tough 1-0 win over Berekum Chelsea. Albert Amoah scored the late goal that secured their place. The match was not pretty, but it didn’t need to be. For a club in rebuilding mode, grit is essential.

Abdul Karim Zito's arrival raised hopes for Kotoko's revival. Many believed they would return to greatness soon. However, some were skeptical due to the club's history of self-sabotage.

It was surprising when they parted ways with Prosper Narteh Ogum. Yet here they are again in another FA Cup final.

Kotoko has a rich history in the MTN FA Cup, winning it nine times. Their last victory came in 2017 against Hearts of Oak.

That match was unforgettable and described as "Unmissable." Former striker Saddick Adams led an impressive performance against Hearts within 30 minutes.

It has been eight years since that triumph, and none of the current players have experienced such success.

They may have heard stories about past finals and their significance to the club. They likely know how Kotoko lost to a Division One team 14 years ago.

The memory of 2011 still haunts them. That year, Nania FC shocked Kotoko with a 1-0 victory in Accra. Even giants can be humbled by smaller teams.

Golden Kick can draw inspiration from this history.

Ghana’s FA Cup often showcases fairytales where anything can happen. Its slogan means everyone is equal.

In 2016, Okwawu United made it to the final despite being lower-tiered but lost to Bechem United 2-1 at Cape Coast Stadium. In 2021, AshantiGold nearly fell to Berekum Arsenals in the quarterfinals.

That’s the magic of the Cup; it thrives on belief rather than permission.

In 2016, I noted how Division One teams could compete with Premier League clubs after Kotoko struggled against one in the quarterfinals.

Golden Kick embodies that belief now.

They defeated Attram De Visser 3-1 in their semi-final match-up. Known for youth development and tactical discipline, they’ve built momentum quietly over recent seasons. Now they stand on the brink of footballing folklore with one game left to play.

Describing this Kotoko team as merely a shadow of its former self is both fair and harsh.

The Porcupine Warriors are undergoing painful yet necessary changes internally and externally this season has been inconsistent for them overall.

However, this FA Cup run offers redemption — a chance for hope and possibly a trophy for their fans.

But hope alone won’t suffice.

Golden Kick may lack experience but will bring courage to this match-up against Kotoko.
If Kotoko underestimates them, they risk repeating past mistakes from fourteen years ago when another unknown team took victory from them unexpectedly.

The upcoming FA Cup final contrasts two different narratives: A young club seeking its first major title versus an established club eager to reclaim respectability.

For Golden Kick, this is a dream come true; for Kotoko, it's about proving their legacy still matters.

For everyone else watching, it's an unexpected final — perhaps one we all needed to see most.