Golden Kick FC goalkeeper Kelvin Saaba has openly criticized referee Selorm Yao Bless following his team’s dramatic 2-1 defeat to Asante Kotoko in the 2024/25 Ghana FA Cup final at the University of Ghana Stadium.

The Division One side, who fought gallantly throughout the match, were undone by a stoppage-time penalty awarded to the Porcupine Warriors — a decision Saaba believes was unfair and ultimately cost them the trophy.

🗣️ Saaba: “I didn’t touch the player”


In a post-match interview with 3Sports, an emotional Saaba insisted that the contact leading to the penalty was non-existent:
“Honestly, it’s very bad. I don’t know why it happened that way. It’s heartfelt. I didn’t touch the player. It doesn’t happen anywhere.”

⚖️ Calls for Accountability


The goalkeeper didn’t hold back, calling on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to scrutinize the officiating and ensure fairness going forward:
“The FA should look into this and start doing things right. If this is how we are going to [do things] in Ghana, then we won’t go anywhere. We should be sincere to ourselves. The referee spoiled the game.”
“Let the supporters feel the game. Even if we are going to extra time, allow them to feel it. It is not by force to give a win to someone. We play for the fans.”

⚽ Match Recap


  • 17th min: Kwame Opoku gave Kotoko the lead after heading in a Lord Amoah free-kick.

  • 32nd min: Bless Ege equalized for Golden Kick with a spectacular long-range free-kick.

  • In stoppage time: Kwame Opoku collided with Kelvin Saaba in the box. Referee Bless awarded a penalty, which Opoku converted to seal the win for Kotoko.

🏆 Kotoko Crowned Champions


With this hard-fought win, Asante Kotoko lifted their 10th FA Cup title and secured qualification to the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.

However, the match ended in controversy, with growing calls from Golden Kick and neutral fans for the GFA to address refereeing standards in key domestic fixtures.

The final’s fallout is expected to dominate headlines in Ghanaian football in the coming days.