Chairman of the MTN FA Cup Committee, Wilson Arthur, says he fully embraces the controversy that has surrounded this year’s FA Cup final, describing it as a major publicity boost for the competition.
The final, which saw Asante Kotoko clinch their record 10th FA Cup title, ended in dramatic fashion after the Porcupine Warriors were awarded a hotly contested penalty. The spot-kick—given for an alleged foul by Nsoatreman defender Kelvin Saaba on striker Kwame Poku—has ignited widespread debate among fans, pundits, and former players across various media platforms.
Speaking in the aftermath of the match, Arthur insisted that such drama adds to football’s appeal and draws attention to the tournament.
“I used to be the marketing manager for Media No. 1, which later became Metro TV. They would always ask me to preview TV jingles before sending them to clients, and one of the things I always looked out for was controversy. A little bit of controversy is good,” Arthur said.
He emphasized that the buzz surrounding the final has significantly enhanced the tournament’s profile.
“This match is trending because of the penalty. People keep asking me, ‘Did you see the penalty?’ I didn’t even see it. But that’s the beauty of football. It creates conversation. Even with VAR, we still get controversial decisions. And now everyone is talking about the MTN FA Cup.”
Arthur believes the attention could translate into even greater interest in the next edition, as fans and stakeholders rally behind the excitement that such moments generate.
Asante Kotoko’s 2-1 win over Golden Kick SC not only earned them the coveted trophy but also secured them a place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup, giving them another shot at making a mark on the continental stage.
