My players were not tactically disciplined - Kotoko coach Prince Owusu after Samartex defeat

Head coach of Asante Kotoko, Prince Yaw Owusu, has criticised his players following their defeat to Samartex 1996 on matchday 28 of the Ghana Premier League.

The Porcupine Warriors fell to the Timber Giants in a fiercely contested encounter at the Baba Yara Stadium on Tuesday.

The match had initially been abandoned due to heavy rain, with the score at 0-0. However, upon resumption, Samartex seized control of proceedings.

Christian Agyenim Boateng opened the scoring for the visitors before Emmanuel Essien added a second to secure victory. The hosts pulled one back late through Albert Amoah, but it proved to be only a consolation as Samartex held on for all three points.

“It was quite obvious, and I felt really bad after the game,” Owusu said. “The signs were there from yesterday, and things didn’t go the way we had planned. I could see it coming and tried to prevent it, but I couldn’t.”

When asked about the reason for the defeat, he added: “The players were not tactically disciplined”

The victory lifts Samartex to sixth place, strengthening their push for a top-four finish as the season enters its final stretch.

The result also impacts the league standings, with Kotoko remaining fourth on 43 points after 28 matches, missing the opportunity to close the gap on leaders Bibiani Gold Stars. Medeama SC and Hearts of Oak currently occupy second and third place, respectively.