Ghanaian referees are only interested in intimidating players – Kotoko coach

Asante Kotoko coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum has taken a swipe at Ghanaian referees following his side’s defeat to Elmina Sharks.

The Porcupine Warriors suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Fearsome side in the matchday 16 games at the Ndoum Sports Complex on Monday afternoon.

Dickson Afoakwa’s debut goal on the 39th minute was enough to douse the voices of Elmina Sharks’ fans but that will be short-lived.

Sharks pulled level on the 42nd minute through striker Ebenezer Adukwaw to enliven the voices of the home fans.

The Porcupine Warriors’ quest to claim all three points was dealt a huge blow with a penalty call by referee Abdulai Ibrahim on the 50th minute.

Alhaji Mustapha sent Danlad Ibrahim the wrong way with the decision incurring the wrath of the entire Kotoko folks.

The record Ghana Premier League holders were further stung with referee Ibrahim Abdulai showing Imoro Ibrahim a red card on the 53rd minute for his unnecessary remonstrations.

“We played better but we just couldn’t win, that’s it,” Prosper Ogum said after the game. “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 complain. And as players when such things happen, they come to register their complains, 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.

“So I don’t know what happened there but to me from where I stood, in the technical area, I didn’t see Danlad move off his line.” Prosper Narteh Ogum told StarTimes.

Asante Kotoko still lead the 2021/22 league table with 33 points, four less than second-place Bechem United but with a week seven outstanding fixture against rivals, Hearts of Oak.

The Reds will host debutants, Accra Lions at the Baba Yara Stadium in the matchday 17 games on Saturday.