Asante Kotoko head coach Prosper Ogum has attributed his team’s second-half struggles during their 2-1 win over Dreams FC to residual fatigue from their intense 1-0 triumph against bitter rivals Hearts of Oak just days earlier.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Ogum acknowledged the impact of back-to-back high-stakes games on his players, particularly in terms of maintaining their structure and endurance.
Kotoko asserted their dominance in the first half, netting twice in quick succession through Yahaya Baba and Saaka Dauda in the 40th and 43rd minutes. However, the Porcupine Warriors appeared to falter in the second half, allowing Dreams FC to pull one back through Joseph Esso in the 58th minute, leading to a tense finale.
The coach addressed the energy dip, noting that it was more about losing tactical structure than physical fitness.
“I don’t think we were down in terms of strength and speed; we were down in terms of endurance,” Ogum explained. “We lost our structure somewhere along the line, and when that happens, it gives the impression that the team lacks the endurance to continue. But after making substitutions, we regained some solidity in the middle, achieved balance and stability, and controlled the game better, especially in the last 15 minutes.”
Ogum also emphasized that the emotional and physical exertion of the Hearts of Oak clash was bound to have an impact on his team.
“You play a big game like Hearts of Oak, and naturally, a lot of energy is expended on that day. So, you expect energy levels to drop, but to me, it wasn’t that significant,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Kotoko’s ability to secure their third consecutive victory underscores their resilience. The Porcupine Warriors will next face GoldStars on Christmas Eve, aiming to sustain their momentum as they remain firmly in contention for the league title.
