Asante Kotoko’s hopes of winning the Ghana Premier League title have taken a significant blow after suffering a home loss to Hearts of Oak, according to interim coach Prince Yaw Owusu.
The Porcupines fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, with Baba Adamu’s header in the 14th minute proving decisive. The result marked Kotoko’s first home loss of the campaign.
The defeat saw Kotoko slip to fifth place in the league standings, trailing table-toppers Medeama SC by nine points.
Speaking after the match, Owusu acknowledged the challenge facing his side.
“It’s made it very difficult for us,” Owusu said in a post-match interview.
“We need to fight very hard; it is not easy.
“They were rushing to score [against Hearts], and it cost us. We need to talk to them and work with them.”
The match was Owusu’s debut as head coach after taking over from Karim Zito, who recently stepped down.
Asked whether he was capable of turning around the team’s fortunes, Owusu expressed confidence in his appointment.
“Yes, I am the right man to lead Kotoko.”
Having dropped out of the top four positions, Kotoko will look to bounce back when they meet Young Apostles in Matchday 23.