Ex-Black Stars goalkeeper, Abukari Damba has criticized Kotoko defenders for their laxity in their President Cup loss to arch rivals, Hearts of Oak.
The Porcupine Warriors went down twice, losing 2-1 to the Phobians on Friday evening at the Accra Sports Stadium in the presence of President Nana Akuffo Addo.
Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and substitute, Patrick Razak goals in each half saw Hearts claim the 2022 edition of the competition with substitute, Samuel Boateng grabbing Kotoko’s equalizer in between the two goals.
Patrick Razak latched on to Kojo Obeng Junior’s long pass in Hearts of Oak’s half and accelerated past two Kotoko defenders before beating on-rushing goalkeeper, Danlad Ibrahim to slot home the winner on the 88th minute.
The defensive lapse by Kotoko’s back line who found themselves in Hearts of Oak’s second half is what Abukari Damba describes as “naive.”
“That was a naive defending from Asante Kotoko. “The rear defence of Kumasi Asante Kotoko were all in the half of Accra Hearts of Oak,” Damba told GTV SportsPlus.
“And no player is offside in their own half, you know this.
“But that notwithstanding, Hearts deserved to win this, they put in everything.
“But I have to give credit to Samuel Boadu, that was a very timely intervention with the substitution.
“People even thought it could have been earlier but they just came in and it worked.” Damba added.
Kotoko lead the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League table with 40 points – fourteen points better than rivals, Hearts of Oak who sit 7th on 26 after 18 matches.
The President Cup is Hearts of Oak’s fourth trophy under Samuel Boadu in one year after claiming the treble last season.
The competition is meant to usher in Ghana’s 65th Independence Day celebrations on March 6.
