Asante Kotoko lost the 2024 President Cup 2-1 in Kumasi to Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast on the Eve of Ghana’s 67th Independence Day celebration.
Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo, Ivory Coast’s president Alassane Ouattara, the Sports Minister of Ghana Mustapha Yussi and the president of Ghana’s Football Association Kurt Okraku all graced the occasion.
Asec Mimosas was the better side in the first half as they capitalized on Asante Kotoko’s sloppiness to take 2 two-goal lead.
Steven Mukwala’s penalty in the second half reduced the deficit for Fabolous but it was very late to stage a comeback.
Speaking after the game, Asante Kotoko assistant coach David Ocloo expressed his dissatisfaction with the 2-1 defeat.
“It is very disappointing, and hard to take, we planned to make Ghana proud today. They should forgive us,” said Ocloo.
It was a curtain raiser for Ghana’s 67th birthday celebration but Fabolous disappointed Ghanaians and hence Ocloo rended an apology on behalf of Asante Kotoko to Ghanaians.
“We respected them too much in the first half. Our second half was very good,” concluded David Ocloo.
It was clear Asante Kotoko had a poor first half as they struggled to deal with Asec Mimosas’ intensity and determination. In the second half, the Porcupine Warriors lifted their performance and fought extremely well but it was very late for them.
Asante Kotoko lost 2-1 on Tuesday in the President’s Cup against Asec Mimosas making it back-to-back defeats in the competition. Accra Hearts of Oak won the 2023 edition in Accra.
