Interim Asante Kotoko head coach Prince Yaw Owusu has defended his players following their 1-0 loss to Hearts of Oak in Sunday’s Ghana Premier League Super Clash, insisting the team gave everything despite the disappointing result.
Owusu, who took charge of the side just a week after the departure of former coach Abdul Karim Zito, oversaw the high-profile clash at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The encounter was closely contested, but one moment early in the game ultimately decided the outcome.
Kotoko held their own for much of the match and created pressure in spells, but they were punished in the 15th minute when Baba Adamu rose to head home the only goal of the game. Goalkeeper Mohammed Camara was caught off his line as the ball looped into the net, leaving the Porcupine Warriors chasing the game.
Despite pushing for an equaliser and showing determination throughout the contest, Kotoko were unable to find a breakthrough against a resolute Hearts defence.
Speaking after the match, Owusu focused on the positives in his team’s performance, stating that the players showed commitment and fight from start to finish.
“I think the boys did their best. They kept fighting until the end. It’s just the mistake from the goalkeeper that cost us,” he said.
The interim coach acknowledged that while the performance was encouraging, the result was a painful one given the importance of the fixture.
Owusu admitted that the defeat has made Kotoko’s push for the title more difficult as the season progresses.
“This loss makes our title ambition very difficult. Now we need to fight very hard before we can get the title,” he added.
The result leaves Kotoko in fifth place on the league table with 35 points, now trailing leaders Medeama SC by nine points as the race for the championship intensifies.
