Karim Zito, Dreams FC’s coach, lamented their FA Cup defeat over Bofoakwa Tano, attributing the loss to his team’s lack of luck.

Despite being the defending champions and seeking a second trip to Africa, Dreams FC suffered a surprise defeat in the semifinals against Bofoakwa Tano at the Red Bull Arena in Sogakope.

The game stayed goalless in the first half until Bofoakwa broke the deadlock early in the second half with Aboagye Dacosta.

Dreams FC equalised in the 60th minute thanks to a disputed penalty conversion by skipper Abdul Jalilu.

However, Bofoakwa recovered the lead in extra time thanks to Elijah Addai, resulting in a 2-1 triumph.

Coach Zito praised his team’s efforts after the game but blamed their setback on a lack of luck.

“Well, I believe that after each game, you look at what transpired. There is something known as an “element of luck.” “I’ll admit today that luck was not on our side,” he stated after the game.

Despite creating multiple opportunities, Dreams FC is unable to capitalise, as Zito admitted. He applauded his team’s perseverance but bemoaned their lack of luck, especially in extra time.

“We generated a lot of opportunities, but getting the ball in the net was difficult, I was pleased with what my players accomplished. The battling spirit emerged, particularly during the extra time. They came in determined to get an equaliser, but luck was not on their side,” he continued.

Bofoakwa Tano’s head coach, John Eduafo, has expressed his delight after securing the final berth in the 2023/24 FA Cup.

The Sunyani-based squad upset Dreams FC, the defending champions, 2-1 in the semifinals on Sunday afternoon at the Red Bull Arena in Skopje.

Eduafo voiced his delight after the game, emphasising his team’s desire to defeat Dreams FC despite their good performance in the CAF Confederation Cup.

“I am quite delighted and pleased. This is my fourth encounter with Dreams FC. The first came while I was with Kotoku Royals, and we defeated them 3-0. The second time was two months ago against Bofoakwa, when we lost 3-1,” Eduafo stated.

“Last week, I vowed we’d either split the points or win. Today, I arrived determined to defeat them. “I am ecstatic,” he continued.

Aboagye Dacosta gave Bofoakwa Tano the lead two minutes into the second half. Dreams FC equalised in the 60th minute when Skipper Abdul Jalilu scored a contentious penalty.

However, Elijah Addai scored in extra time to give Bofoakwa the win, 2-1.

Bofoakwa Tano will now meet Nsoatreman FC in the FA Cup final, with the site to be determined.

Bashir Hayford, the head coach of the Hearts of Oak Lions, delayed his team’s game against Bechem United on Saturday by sitting in the centre of the pitch due to biassed officiating.

During the game at Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, Hayford took a seat in the centre of the pitch, forcing a 20-minute stoppage in play.

The legendary Ghanaian trainer’s actions were in protest of what was described as one-sided officiating.

“The spectators threw urine and insulted me and the players. We needed to protect ourselves, so we raced to the pitch, but to be honest, I responded to them,” he told Akoma FM.

“As a 30-year lover of the game, I had never seen anything like this before. It was more like a fight than a football match.”

Following a brief break, Hayford left the field, allowing the game to resume. Despite playing with one man down, Bechem averted a loss on the day.


The draw drops Lions into the relegation zone, three points below Bofoakwa Tano, who sits above it.