Asante Kotoko has strongly condemned the violent incidents that marred their Ghana Premier League Matchweek 19 fixture against Nsoatreman FC at Nana Koramansah Park.
In an official statement, the club described the events as “unacceptable” and called for urgent action to prevent further hooliganism in the league.
According to Asante Kotoko, the team faced hostility upon arrival at the stadium, with confrontations from sections of the home supporters. The hostility escalated during the game, as missiles were thrown at the Kotoko bench multiple times.
In one of the most shocking incidents, Kotoko’s Head of Media suffered a serious ear injury after being struck by an object, while goalkeeper Mohammed Camara was physically attacked by pitch invaders.
Beyond the pitch, Kotoko supporters who travelled from Kumasi and media personnel covering the match were also attacked. Tragically, a Kotoko supporter who was stabbed during the violence succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
“This senseless loss of life is devastating, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Asante Kotoko fraternity,” the club stated.
The violence also resulted in extensive damage to valuable club equipment, including laptops, communication devices used by the technical team, and essential audio-visual gadgets.
Despite the security breaches, Kotoko completed the match in the spirit of fair competition. However, the club has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to take swift action against those responsible.
“Asante Kotoko will fully cooperate with the Ghana Football Association in any investigations and expects swift and firm action to be taken against those responsible,” the statement added.
The club further called on stakeholders to prioritize the safety of teams, officials, and supporters, stressing that such acts of violence must not be tolerated in football.
Asante Kotoko reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and fair play while urging authorities to implement stricter security measures at league venues to prevent future incidents.
