The Porcupine Warriors boss believes the referee had a hand in his side’s defeat to Elmina Sharks on Monday
Asante Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh believes his side suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat to Elmina Sharks in Ghana Premier League on Monday because of poor officiating.
Adu Kwaw and Alhaji Mustapha’s two goals cancelled Dickson Afoakwa’s first half effort to end Kotoko’s eight game unbeaten run as they ended the game with ten men following a red card to Imoro Ibrahim.
Although, Danlad Ibrahim saved Mustapha’s initial penalty, the referee adjudged that the Kotoko goalkeeper moved off his line and Mustapha did not make a mistake in the second time.
“I mean you saw it. We played better but we just couldn’t win. Not that they were able to map up a strategy to stop us from playing,” Ogum said.
“We were the better side and had some chances that we could have scored but we didn’t take those chances. We had a chance which was the penalty that we could have comeback but we couldn’t. Etouga remains our best penalty taker.”
“From where I stood, I didn’t see Danlad moving off his line so the players definitely will complain but the typical Ghanaian referees always want to threaten players. But the question is, was it a penalty in the first place?” he added.
Ogum, however, rejected suggestions that the defeat to Sharks is a setback which could lead to series of uninspiring results.
“The defeat isn’t a setback. We only lost. We could have come back even with ten men but we couldn’t so we will go back and prepare for the next games,” he said.
Kotoko lead the log with 33 points, four points above Bechem United but have a game in hand against Hearts of Oak.
They will welcome debutants Accra Lions to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.