Assistant coach Hamza Obeng has apologised to supporters of Asante Kotoko following the club’s disappointing defeat to Karela United in the Ghana Premier League.
The Porcupine Warriors travelled to the Aliu Mahama Stadium for their Matchday 25 fixture in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season, hoping to secure a crucial away victory to strengthen their push up the league table.
However, the afternoon turned into a frustrating one for Kotoko as they fell to a narrow 1–0 defeat, with Karela United capitalising on their chances to secure all three points in front of their home supporters.
The decisive moment of the match came in the first half when Malik Abubakar found the back of the net for the home side. His strike proved enough to separate the two teams by the final whistle despite Kotoko’s efforts to mount a response.
Kotoko’s task became even more difficult late in the first half when defender Henry Ansu was shown a red card in the 40th minute. The dismissal forced the visitors to continue the remainder of the match with ten men, significantly altering the dynamics of the contest.
Playing a man down made it increasingly challenging for Kotoko to impose themselves on the game. While they attempted to push forward in search of an equaliser, Karela United remained organised and disciplined at the back, limiting the Porcupine Warriors’ opportunities in front of goal.
Speaking after the match, assistant coach Hamza Obeng admitted that the result was a major disappointment for the team. He also took the opportunity to apologise to the club’s passionate supporters who had hoped for a better outcome.
“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 in his post-match remarks.
According to the Kotoko assistant coach, the team’s inability to convert their chances proved costly on the day. He acknowledged that conceding the goal while dealing with the disadvantage of having a player sent off made the situation even more difficult.
“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,” he explained.
Despite the setback, Obeng insisted that the club still believes in its ambitions for the season. He emphasised that there is still plenty of football to be played and that the team must remain focused on improving their performances in the remaining matches.
“We are sorry for losing this game, but the league title race is not over yet,” he added.
The defeat continues a challenging run of form for Asante Kotoko in recent weeks. The Porcupine Warriors have now lost three of their last five matches in the Ghana Premier League, a sequence of results that has slowed their momentum in the competition.
During that period, Kotoko’s only victory came in a 2–0 triumph over Young Apostles FC, while other matches have produced mixed outcomes that have affected their position in the standings.
Currently, the Kumasi-based giants sit fifth on the Ghana Premier League table with 39 points, leaving them with work to do if they hope to climb further up the rankings before the season concludes.
For a club with the stature and expectations of Asante Kotoko, every dropped point is closely scrutinised by supporters who demand consistent performances from their team.
Nonetheless, the coaching staff remain determined to ensure the players respond positively to the setback. Obeng stressed that the team must quickly turn their attention to the next fixture and focus on delivering a stronger performance.
Kotoko will now prepare for another important test when they face Nations FC in their upcoming Ghana Premier League match.
The encounter presents an opportunity for the Porcupine Warriors to bounce back from their disappointment against Karela United and regain some confidence as the league campaign enters a crucial phase.
With several matches still left in the season, Kotoko know that consistency will be key if they are to remain competitive in the race near the top of the table.
For Hamza Obeng and the rest of the technical team, the focus now shifts toward regrouping the squad, correcting the mistakes from the defeat, and ensuring the players respond with the determination expected from one of Ghana’s most successful football clubs. ⚽
