Reactions from Asante Kotoko 2-3 defeat to King Faisal as Babies boss Nurudeen Amadu, Reds gaffer and Alhaji Grusah share thoughts
King Faisal handed season’s first defeat to Asante Kotoko at Baba Yara Sports Stadium last Sunday after youngster Zubeiru Ibrahim grabbing a hat-trick for the away side before Cameroonian forward Mfegue nets a brace for Kotoko.
After the game, King Faisal FC gaffer, Nurudeen Amadu states they were touted underdogs heading into the game but managed to do the needful in the end which secured them this precious victory.
The ‘Insha Allah’ lads inflicted a 2-3 defeat on the Porcupine Warriors in a herculean week 6 clash in the Ashanti Regional derby at the Baba Yara Stadium over the weekend.
Coach Nurudeen Amadu secured fourth season win and has now tied up with the league leaders at the summit with 13 points each.
In an interview the enterprising tactician stated they were not given any chance heading into this game but they did the needful of which he explained as;
“I told you that we have six points are stake not more than three and then we were just playing to give them a good fight because we know that is a big club and we started the match as underdogs but we did the needful even though they played better, we did the needful.”
“Being needful means that you sit back and then you take your chances and set for counter attack. We utilized the few chances we got and that has been the game plan throughout the week.”
They will host Elmina Sharks this weekend at the Baba Yara Stadium in week 6 of the Ghana Premier League.
Prosper Narteh Ogum thoughts
After tasting his first defeat since taking over Asante Kotoko, head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum has accepted the loss stating they were the better side on the day but their opponents had the goals.
Cameroonian international George Mfegue made his start count having netted a brace in the game but wasn’t enough to grind his side maximum points following a sensational hat-trick from the game’s best player Zubeiru Ibrahim.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Prosper Narteh has disclosed they dominated the game but King Faisal had the goals. Also, he lauded their supporters for their unending supports throughout the game even when they were losing. He said;
” I am impressed with the players , we outplayed Faisal, but they scored the goals . Lack of patience cost us”.
“Support was amazing and even when we were down, the supporters never stopped singing and urging us on, chanting slogans of the Porcupines and doing everything to aid us. We are grateful to them.”
Asante Kotoko will be coming up against their arch-rivals Hearts of Oak in match-week 7 of the ongoing Ghana Premier League season.
Alhaji Grusah colts claims
The ‘Insha Allah’ lads exhibited a stupendous output last Sunday to edge out the league leaders by 3-2 in match-week 6 of the Ghana Premier League
Young sensation Zubeiru Ibrahim dominated the headlines after the game having notched a hatrick and took the match ball home, with Cameroonian import George Mfegue also getting a brace on the day.
Speaking to the media after the game, bankroller of King Faisal, Alhaji Grusah has disclosed categorically clear that, he already stated they will beat Kotoko and they did that with young chaps from colts and second division level. He said;
“We have a player that can run with any player in this country and that is Zubeiru. I told TV3 we will still beat Kotoko even without Osman Ibrahim and Emmanuel Sarkodie.”
“The referee awarded them a dubious penalty initially but we don’t mind. We have beaten them, we scored three and they scored two.”
“We won’t buy players from outside, we used colts and second division players to beat them.” He concluded.
