Interim Asante Kotoko head coach Prince Yaw Owusu has admitted that Sunday’s painful 1-0 defeat to Hearts of Oak has dealt a serious blow to the club’s Ghana Premier League title hopes.
Owusu, who stepped into the role just a week after the departure of former boss Abdul Karim Zito, led the Porcupine Warriors into the high-stakes Super Clash at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Despite a spirited performance, Kotoko were undone by an early moment that proved decisive.
Kotoko matched their rivals for long stretches and tried to impose themselves on the game, but they fell behind in the 15th minute when Baba Adamu rose to head home the winner. Goalkeeper Mohammed Camara was caught off his line as the looping effort sailed into the net, forcing Kotoko to chase the game from an early stage.
The hosts responded with urgency and created pressure in spells, but Hearts remained organised at the back and protected their slender lead until the final whistle.
Reflecting on the result, Owusu praised his players for their determination and commitment, insisting they gave everything despite the setback.
“I think the boys did their best. They kept fighting until the end. It’s just the mistake from the goalkeeper that cost us,” he said after the match.
While encouraged by the performance, the interim coach admitted the defeat could have significant implications for Kotoko’s ambitions this season.
“This defeat to Hearts makes our title ambition very difficult. Now we need to fight very hard before we can get the title,” Owusu added.
The loss leaves Kotoko fifth on the league table with 35 points, now nine points behind leaders Medeama SC. With the gap widening, the Kumasi-based side faces an uphill battle to revive their championship challenge in the weeks ahead.
