Asante Kotoko head coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum, has expressed his disappointment over the injury of left-back Esmat Abdalhamid Hassabalbagi, describing it as a major setback for the team. The Sudanese defender has been ruled out for six weeks after successfully undergoing foot surgery.
Esmat sustained the injury during Kotoko’s Matchday three game against Young Apostles at the Len Clay Sports Stadium last weekend. Reflecting on the situation, Coach Ogum shared his concerns with the club’s official website, saying, “Obviously, it’s a setback for all of us.”
While acknowledging that injuries are a natural part of sports, Ogum had hoped the injury wouldn’t be too serious. “We were hoping it wasn’t something bad, but whatever it is, we just have to face it and plan accordingly and again to wish him a speedy recovery,” he said.
Despite the unfortunate news, Ogum remains confident in Esmat’s resilience, stating, “I know Esmat is a tough guy and I believe he can recover in time.”
Esmat had already featured in Kotoko’s first two games of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season before his injury. Now sidelined, the team will need to adapt as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures.
Asante Kotoko, after being held to a 1-1 draw by Young Apostles, will look to bounce back when they travel to face Berekum Chelsea on Sunday for their Matchday four clash at the Golden City Park.
