Head coach for Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Prosper Nartey Ogum has angrily reacted to referee Abdulai Ibrahim’s performance and their shocking defeat following a controversial penalty against Elmina Sharks in a week 16 GPL clash Monday.
The Porcupines were stopped by the relegation battling side with a 2-1 disappointing defeat after they conceded a penalty following a handball in the box.
Alhaji Mustapha’s kick was saved by goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad but the referee ordered for it to be replayed after the Danlad crossed his line to make a save.
The Porcupine Warriors took the lead at the 39th minute but the home side leveled the scoreline before the recess and came from behind to punish the league leaders in the second half.
After the game Coach, Prosper Nartey Ogum angrily reacted, despite praising his guys for playing a master class football.
“We played better but we just couldn’t win, that’s it. “Not that they mapped up a strategy to prevent us from playing, as I said we played well, we were the better side, we created some few decent chances which we could have scored especially when we scored the first goal.
“So in all, I think we played well, I’m happy with their performance especially when we went down by a man but then we kept our shape. “If you look at the changes that we did, it didn’t show that we were a man down, it was like we were even numbers 11 aside.
“So to me I’m impressed, we had a chance we could have come back through the penalty, we missed. Reacting to the call for the penalty awarded Elmina Sharks to be retaken, Prosper Narteh had his reservations about referee Abdulai Ibrahim’s decision.
“I didn’t see Danlad [Ibrahim] move off his line but the assistant said he moved off his line so they went to register their complaint. “And as players when such things happen, they come to register their complaint, it’s you the referee who should be able to manage the game.
“But typical of Ghanaian referees, they are interested in threatening players, intimidating players, and telling them that they will send them out of the field of play.”
The Reds have won 10 matches, drawn three, and lost just twice this season.
There will be premier league debutants, Accra Lions at the Baba Yara Stadium on Saturday, February 12.
