Photo Credit - Asante Kotoko Sporting Club.
Head coach of Asante Kotoko Prosper Narteh Ogum has admitted that the temporary break of league had a negative effect on the players.
The 2024/25 Ghana top flight resumed after almost five weeks absence due to the death of Kotoko’s staunch supporter, Yaw Frimpong who was buried last week.
Yaw Frimpong was stabbed to death in week 19 at the Nsenkyire Stadium in a game between home side Nsoatreman and Asante Kotoko. Kotoko lost by a solitary 1-0 on the day.
The incident forced the Ghana Football Association to call off the fixtures but Kotoko recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory against strugglers, Legon Cities in week 23 at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday afternoon after its return.
A first half strike by Patrick Asiedu from outside the penalty area cushioned the record Ghana Premier League title holders moving into the first half of the game. Back from recess, Legon Cities came out of their shells attacking the Porcupine Warriors but failed to find the equalizer.
Former Kotoko winger, Emmanuel Gyamfi nearly cancelled the lead for Legon Cities but he saw his strike just meters away from the penalty box go wide. The visitors’ profligacy in front of goal continued until the 85th minute when Kotoko’s attack from the left side of the field resulted in a penalty kick.
Striker Kwame Opoku made no mistake by converting from the spot to double the tally for the two time African champions with 87 minutes of time passed. Notwithstanding the 2-0 vitcory, Prosper Narteh Ogum believes, staying away from competitive action for over a month took away the team’s sharpness.
“I think the five week break has not helped us. If you look at the team today, we were not that sharp, we didn’t exhibit that pace and speed in our play.
“We weren’t that sharp in our build up and especially our creativity in front of goal wasn’t that much and the chances we had weren't the chances we should have missed.
“So to me it has had an effect on the team but then as we play some few matches I am sure we will come back.” Prosper Narteh Ogum said in a post-match press conference.
Kotoko per the result go on 37 points from 20 league games, sharing the top spot with Bibiani Gold Stars who defeated Nations FC 1-0 at the Duns Park on Sunday in the other fixture.
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