Asante Kotoko assistant coach Hamza Obeng has openly acknowledged the team’s defensive lapse that led to their 1–0 defeat against Karela United in Matchday 25 of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League.
The Porcupine Warriors traveled to the Aliu Mahama Stadium but were undone by a first-half strike from Malik Abubakar, a goal Obeng described as avoidable.
The challenge for Kotoko was compounded when Henry Ansu received a red card in the 40th minute, forcing the side to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
“We are down with the result that we had today, but it’s part of the game. We need to take it aside and concentrate on our next game,” Obeng said, reflecting on the defeat.
“Unfortunately for us, we were not able to put the ball in the back of the net, and we conceded that easy goal at the time we were down by one man. We are sorry for losing this game, but the league title race is not over yet,” he added.
The loss marks Kotoko’s third defeat in five league matches, with their only win in this period coming from a 2–0 victory over Young Apostles FC. This string of inconsistent results has left Kotoko in fifth place on the league table with 39 points, signaling that their campaign for the league title is facing turbulence.
Obeng emphasized the need for the team to learn from their mistakes and redirect focus to upcoming fixtures, starting with their next clash against Nations FC.
“The league is still very much open. We need to regroup, work harder in training, and put in stronger performances in our next games. Our fans deserve better, and the players and coaching staff are committed to bouncing back,” Obeng concluded.
The assistant coach’s candid admission underlines his responsibility and leadership, while also highlighting the importance of resilience as Kotoko navigates the final stretch of the league season.
