The Ghana Football Association (FA) Cup, currently known as the MTN FA Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the top knockout tournament of Ghanaian association football.
The competition is played between the clubs of the Premier League, Division One League, Division Two League, Division Three League, and GAFCOA.
Accra Hearts of Oak SC is the competition's most successful club, having won it 11 times, followed by Asante Kotoko with 10.
New clubs have shown their prowess in the recent past as they keep on defeating the popular or big clubs.
Asante Kotoko have lost three finals in the last six years, since MTN started sponsoring.
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Early History and Key Moments
The first G.F.A. Cup competition took place in the season 1957-1958 with Kumasi Asante Kotoko beating Accra Hearts of Oak 4-2 at the final.
It was then known as the Aspro Cup.
A feeling of excitement and expectancy ran through a sea of heads that filled every space in the 25,000 capacity stadium as first, Hearts and then Kotoko, came trotting to the field.
Two minutes gone, Hearts took over and for the whole of the first half they were definitely the better side.
Their moves were better planned and better operated.
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Ten minutes from the start Hearts missed an open goal when Agyiri Fynn, all alone, with only goalkeeper Kwao Baffoe to beat, panicked and allowed the goalkeeper to dive onto his feet to collect the ball.
Two minutes later a beautiful pass from Ofei Dodoo just needed C.
Hearts were obviously on top at this stage and all the Kotoko supporters could thank themselves for the superb defensive work of centre half Moro Gago.
Kotoko and C. K. Gyamfi from the left wing hit the inside of the crossbar with a hard shot.
The ball bounced back into the crowded area.
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Kwao Baffoe fell trying to gather it and after a series of short passes Ofei Dodoo slammed the ball into the goal.
Hearts one goal up and the start of the four minutes of tense drama in which three goals were scored.
4:33pm a long clearance by Addo Odametey brought another goal mouth scramble.
C. Hearts two goals up.
4:35pm, Kotoko undismayed attacked strongly and forced a corner kick.
Adu Darko headed away the kick well taken by Kotoko’s Kobina Badu Coker but Salisu trapped it and with a first time shot put the ball at the back of the net.
Inspired by this, Kotoko continued to attack but soon they were pressed down by strong tackling by Hearts Addo Odametey and Adu Darko.
C.K. As the whistle went for half time with Hearts still holding their 2-1 lead, fans wondered what the stage would be like.
Just two minutes from resumption of play and unfortunately it took a penalty hardly given for accidentally handling to break up all that Hearts had and gave Kotoko a firm grip on the game.
Baba Yara gave goalkeeper Addoquaye Laryea no chance with a dynamic low kick to pull level at two all.
Kotoko piled on the pressure and Hearts attacks were limited to some spasmodic bursts.
Kotoko with victory in sight played clever confident football but Hearts made two strong efforts to let the nuts out of the blazing fire.
Once Addo Odametey made 50 yard solo run, baffled the defence and shot hard at goal.
Hiatus and Resurgence
There was an eight years hiatus between the seasons 2002-2010, however, Heartsof Oak being the most successful club in the competition history having won the cup on nine occasions, the first victory in 1973 and the recent triumph in the 2000 G.F.A. Cup competition after defeating Okwawu United (2-0) in the finals.
The following table shows the winners of the Ghana FA Cup in recent years:
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Asante Kotoko |
| 2021 | Hearts of Oak |
| 2023 | Dreams FC |
In recent years, the competition has seen exciting developments, like Nsoatreman FC winning their first-ever FA Cup trophy.
This was a cup final with everything in it, from modern crisp passes to the agelong highlong kicks.
Hearts lost by a margin of two goals and it could well have been three goals had the referee not ruled out a Salisu goal, which I thought was perfectly legal.
They offered great resistance.
They seemed to have the game cut and dry with a two minute blitz in which they led 2-0.
Their forwards combined effectively.
Ghana Women's FA Cup
The Ghana Women's FA Cup is the top women's knockout tournament of Ghanaian association football.
The Ghana Women's FA Cup was launched in 2016 by the Women's League Board (WLB) of Ghana Football Association (GFA) as the highest women's knockout tournament.
Hasaacas Ladies won in 2021, sealing an historic double.
Here is a summary of the Ghana Women's FA Cup:
- Founded: 2016
- Region: Ghana
- Current Champions: Hasaacas Ladies (1st title) 2021
- Most Championships: Police Ladies (1 title), Prisons Ladies (1 title), Hasaacas Ladies (1 title)
Ghana FA Cup Final: Bechem United vs Okwahu United
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