Young Porcupines Secure Promotion to Division 2 in Ashanti Region
The juvenile team of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club, the Young Porcupines, have been promoted to the Second Division (2nd) in the Ashanti Region.
The Young Porcupines were instituted at the early stages of the outgoing Interim Management Committee (IMC) administration, and they have competed in the lowest division of football in the Ghana football ecosystem, the 3rd Division.
Hamza Obeng, previously a coach at Vision FC, was appointed in June 2025 as the assistant coach to Karim Zito and also serves as the coach for the youth team, Young Porcupines, for the 2025/26 season.
The Young Porcupines competed in the Ashanti Region Division 3 League campaign for the 2025/26 season with a technical team comprising Hamza Obeng as the head coach, ably assisted by Akwasi Kusi and former goalkeeper of the club, Eric Nii Baah, as the goalkeepers’ coach.
The Young Porcupines produced a stellar performance in the season’s campaign, finishing the league stage undefeated with an 11-game unbeaten streak, winning nine league games, scoring 28 goals, and conceding 7 goals, which set the stage for a successive 3rd Division Middle League Play-Off.
The Ashanti Region 3rd Division round of 32 draw was officially published on May 12th, after which the Young Porcupines had to secure promotion after three successive victories at that stage.
Young Porcupines’ journey began with a win against Kumasi Royal Priesthood by two goals scored by Lawson Kyei Manu and Benjamin Owusu Ansah to play in the Round of 16 of the Play-Off.
The Young Porcupines scored six goals and kept a clean sheet in the Round of 16 Play-Off match against S.S. Europa. This victory was crucial as they advanced to face Agya Football Club in the Division 3 Play-Off final.
The Young Porcupines reached a historic milestone on Thursday at the Sofoline Astroturf when Anthony Duah scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute. His strike broke the deadlock in a tense match, securing promotion for the team.
