Asante Kotoko assistant coach Hamza Obeng has publicly expressed his deep regret following the Porcupine Warriors’ surprising defeat to Karela United in the 25th matchday of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.
The match, held at the Aliu Mahama Stadium, saw Karela United secure a narrow 1–0 victory thanks to a first-half strike from Malik Abubakar. The result was made even more challenging for Kotoko after Henry Ansu was shown a red card in the 40th minute, forcing the visitors to play the remainder of the game with ten men.
Speaking after the disappointing encounter, Obeng expressed sincere apologies to the club’s fans for a result that fell far short of expectations.
“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.
“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 defeat marks Kotoko’s third loss in their last five league matches, with their only victory during that period coming in a 2–0 win against Young Apostles FC. This stretch of inconsistent results has raised concerns among supporters, highlighting the challenges the team faces in maintaining momentum in the league title race.
Currently, Asante Kotoko sits fifth on the Ghana Premier League table with 39 points, leaving little margin for error as the season progresses. Obeng urged his players to put the setback behind them and focus on upcoming fixtures, starting with their next league clash against Nations FC.
“The league is still wide open, and we must keep our focus. Every game is critical from here, and the team must work harder to bounce back. The fans deserve our best, and we will do everything possible to regain their trust,” Obeng added.
Despite the disappointment, Obeng’s measured response and willingness to take responsibility demonstrate his commitment to both the team and its supporters. As the season intensifies, Kotoko will need to regroup, strengthen their strategy, and display resilience to climb back into the upper echelons of the league standings.
With the remainder of the season promising to be highly competitive, the Porcupine Warriors face a critical period where every point counts, and the coaching staff, led by Obeng alongside the technical team, will play a pivotal role in reviving Kotoko’s title ambitions.
