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Ghanaian side, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, claimed the second edition of the Toyota Cup, Moses Mabhida Stadium, in Durban, on Saturday, after defeating South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs, 3-2 on penalties
Young Africans from Tanzania were inaugural winners of the Toyota Cup, in 2024.
The match was part of Chiefs’ pe-season preparations and for coach Nasreddine Nabi to finetune his charges and integrate new players into the team.
The result was not of significance but having played African giants like Kotoko, Amakhosi will go into their CAF Confederation Cup campaign empowered.
Kotoko’s head coach, Karim Zito, fielded a strong starting XI, featuring the likes of Camara, newly appointed captain Samba O’Neil, striker Kwame Opoku, and recent additions Lord Adabo and Seth Kwadwo.
The opening half was relatively uneventful, with both sides failing to create any clear-cut chances. Kotoko came closest in the 14th minute when Kwame Opoku headed wide from a well-placed cross.
Boths sided tried to hit target without success, while Chiefs missed an 83rd minute penalty, which could have settled the encounter.
Kotoko equally had their share of scoring opportunities but it appeard they had left their scoring boots back home in Kumasi.
Inacio Miguel couldn’t put the ball behind Kotoko’s Guinean goalkeeper, Mohammed Camara.
Both sides turned to penalty to determine the victor and Camara turned out the hero of the day as he ensured Kotoko emerged victorious.
Camara also saved Miguel’s penalty during the shootout.
Nabi unleashed new players
Chiefs coach, Nasereddine Nabi started with the trio of Nkanyiso Shinga and Thabiso Monyane occupied the full back positions, while Portuguese striker Flavio Da Silva was in attack alongside youngster Mfundo Vilakazi and DR Congo winger Glody Lilepo.
Mduduzi Shabalala renewed the team’s energy when he was introduced and he came close to changing the narrative, but his well-taken shot crashed against the upright with the Kotoko goalkeeper, Camara, in no man’s land.
However, they couldn’t overcome the West Africans, who were determined to rewrite their story.
Chiefs showcase new Kappa kits
The Toyota Cup match served as a platform for Chiefs to showcase their to showcase their new 2025/26 playing kit.
In the first half, players were dressed in the traditional gold and black, which was changed to the grey and gold design in the second half.
Objectives
After inviting Young Africans, fondly called Yanga in the inaugural Toyota Cup, last year, the compass moved from East Africa to West Africa, in what is to serve as an opportunity for African Unity.
The theme of the tournament; Africa Unites, is a call to bring together cultures, teams, and fans under one vision of elevating the game on the continent.
In addition, it helps to prepare Chiefs for the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup assignment.
