Kotoko Were the Better Side; Hearts Coach Admits

The head coach of Accra Hearts of Oak, Aboubakar Ouattara has congratulated arch rivals Asante Kotoko SC, admitting they were a force to reckon with and the better side in their 2-0 loss on Sunday.

Hearts suffered their second consecutive defeat to Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports stadium in a crucial game in which both teams desired a win to appease their fans for their poor form in the running season.

Luck eluded the Phobians and clung to Kotoko as they pipped their long-standing rivals by one goal each in both halves thanks to Steven Mukwala’s brace.

The win leaves the Porcupines in the ninth position on the log with Hearts just a point above relegation zone.

In a post-match press conference, Kotoko head coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum, expressed elation at the results, stating that the team executed the game plan to perfection, following it to the letter and delivering as expected.

“Before the game I said the team with the good defensive structure and good discipline will be able to carry the day. Observing them play most of their matches, we realized that we needed to contain them and then catch them on the brick and if you look at them on the first goal, that was exactly what happened.

“Even the ball that hit the upright is the same and even the third goal too. We kept our shape very well, we glided and shifted based on where the ball was and we made sure that we were always be. We didn’t try to rush the game. We tried to cool the game, connect the shot passes and whenever it was possible played the long ball behind the defence and I think it worked very well.”

He sees their victory over Hearts as a motivation to win the remaining three games of the season for a more honourable position on the league log.

Meanwhile, Coach Ouattarra said Kotoko played better and capitalized on their chances compared to his boys.

Though disappointed, he finds the results deserving.

“That’s the reality of football. When you can’t score and play well, the opponent takes the chance. Kotoko was the good side. I congratulate them…We lost the game because we didn’t play well. I don’t want to single out anyone for blame; I will talk to the boys about our performance. When the match started, I felt Kotoko deserved to win, but I had different expectations before the game.”