Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler has criticised his players for gifting Aduana Stars a 2-0 victory in their Ghana Premier League clash at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday, September 27.
Kotoko suffered their first defeat of the 2026/27 season after conceding an early goal and failing to make their numerical advantage count for more than 50 minutes. Aduana took the lead in the fifth minute when goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim lost control of the ball, allowing Stephen Amankona to pounce.
Kotoko’s task should have become easier after Aduana defender Raymond Agyemang was sent off in the 42nd minute, but the home side failed to find an equaliser. Seidu Saana then sealed the win for Aduana in the fifth minute of added time, finishing a counterattack.
Tinkler was unhappy with the manner of the defeat, particularly Kotoko’s early approach and their poor ball retention.
“They (Kotoko players) were jittery prior to that-early goal-that’s why we ended up conceding because we started like we were playing with fear.”
“We kept giving the ball away cheaply…we just gave it to them; some very cheap opportunities that we gave them”.
Kotoko will look to respond when they face Karela United on Thursday, October 1 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Karela go into the game with confidence after a 1-0 win over Accra Hearts of Oak ended the Phobians’ unbeaten start to the season.
