South African tactician Eric Tinkler has won his first trophy in Ghanaian football after guiding Asante Kotoko to the 2026 Democracy Cup triumph.
The Porcupine Warriors beat fierce rivals Accra Hearts of Oak 4-1 on penalties in the third edition of the prestigious football showdown at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Friday night.
With the first two editions shared equally, Kotoko wrestled the inaugural cup back from Hearts who won it in 2025 with Tinkler’s charges making it two cup triumphs, after 2024, to Hearts’ one.
It was a well-deserved victory for Kotoko who dominated the tie throughout with over 60% ball possession.
New signing Emmanuel Mamah had found the back of the net in the 18th minute only for his strike to be cancelled out by the assistant referee for an offside.
The two sides could not be separated in regulation time (0-0) with the tie heading straight to penalty shootout as Kotoko emerged victorious.
The Democracy Cup was held to commemorate 32 years of parliamentary democracy in Ghana and now sets the tone for a successful league campaign for Tinkler and his troops.
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