GHALCA TOP 4 round two review: Kotoko loses again as Gold Stars beat Phobia on penalties

The action continued on Friday night for the 2025 GHALCA TOP 4 at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Legon.

Losers in matchday one, Asante Kotoko and Heart of Lions opened the day with a blockbuster clash where Bashir Hayford’s Heart of Lions recorded a narrow 1-0 win over the Porcupine Warriors.

Heart of Lions lost 1-0 against Hearts of Oak in their first game of the competition and were determined to take all three points to boost their chances of competing for the first position.

Asante Kotoko, on the other hand, lost 2-1 to Bibiani Gold Stars and were also determined to avoid anything aside from victory against Heart of Lions..

Paul Atta Agyei’s first-half strike made the difference as the Porcupine Warriors failed to equalise.

In the second game of the day, Accra Hearts of Oak came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against the red-hot Bibiani Gold Stars.

Samuel Atta Kumi’s 15th-minute penalty put the Miners 1-0 ahead. Justice Arthur doubled Gold Stas’ lead in the 30th minute to make life extremely difficult for Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and his boys.

On the stroke of the first half, Asamoah Boateng Afriyie pulled one back for the Phobians to give them a lifeline. The first half ended 2-1 with Gold Stars just needing to prevent Phobia from scoring again to win all three points.

Mohammed Hussein, with just four minutes into the second half, equalised for Hearts of Oak. 2-2 with more than 40 Minutes of action left, momentum switched to Hearts of Oak’s side with the winning goal all that they needed now.

Both sides failed to strike the all-important goal, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw.

The Top 4 will continue on Sunday, where Hearts of Oak will meet recent bogey side Asante Kotoko, whilst Bibiani Gold Stars will face Heart of Lions.

Gold Stars sit on top of the log, Hearts of Oka are second, with Heart of Lions occupying the third slot.

Asante Kotoko are languishing at the bottom of the table, surprisingly. They are yet to pick a single point thus far.