Morifing Donzo scored his first goal for Asante Kotoko, which proved decisive in a hard-fought 1–0 win over arch-rivals Hearts of Oak in the first Super Clash of the season at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Porcupine Warriors started brightly, with Saaka Dauda going close just five minutes in with a left-footed effort that flashed narrowly wide of the near post

Karim Zito’s men maintained the early pressure, forcing Hearts goalkeeper Benjamin Asare into action after Hubert Gyau’s strike from the edge of the box.

The Phobians struggled to cope with Kotoko’s high intensity and were under siege again when Peter Amidu Acquah set up Dauda, who failed to convert from close range.

Didi Dramani’s side had their first real chance midway through the first half when a quick counterattack ended with Frank Duku failing to find Hamza Issah with what looked like a simple final pass.

From the resulting corner, Baba Adamu rose unmarked but headed wide from close range, much to the frustration of the Hearts fans.

Moments later, Duku went close again with a powerful near-post drive that was initially spilt but quickly gathered by Kotoko goalkeeper Camara.

Kotoko came inches away from breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark when a long throw was flicked on by Donzo and met by Gyau, whose header narrowly missed the target.

The breakthrough eventually came on the stroke of halftime when Morifing Donzo converted a penalty — his first goal for the club — after Amidu Acquah was brought down in the box by Amankwah Baafi.

Hearts made a change at the start of the second half, with Martin Karikari replacing Frank Duku, a substitution that brought renewed energy into their attack. Raphael Amponsah came close with a long-range effort from 25 yards after neat play from Hamza Issah.

The Phobians continued to press and almost drew level on the hour mark, but Kotoko captain Samba produced a crucial block to deny Karikari from finding an unmarked Hamza Issah inside the box.

Kotoko nearly capitalised on a defensive lapse moments later when Assibey’s poor back pass gifted Donzo a one-on-one chance, but Hearts defender Ali Mohammed recovered well to block his shot.

The Porcupine Warriors regained control and almost doubled their lead when Samba’s glancing header from a Peter Amidu corner flew inches wide, with the Hearts defence rooted to the spot.

Didi Dramani introduced Mawuli Wayo late in the game, and the substitute thought he had equalised with a spectacular finish — only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Hearts pressed for a late equaliser deep into stoppage time, but Kotoko held firm to secure another memorable victory over their rivals at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Sompaonline.com