KUMASI – A late penalty decision by referee Abdul Latif Kadri ignited tension at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex during a betPawa Premier League match week six encounter between Asante Kotoko and Nations FC. The contentious call led to a 15-minute halt as away fans threw sachet water onto the pitch in protest.
According to a new release by the Ghana News Agency, the technical team of Kotoko, led by Dr. Prosper Nartey Ogum, had to intervene and urge supporters to calm down before the penalty was eventually taken. The penalty, which ended up being the last action of the match, nullified Kotoko’s lead and leveled the final score at two goals apiece.
The match had started off intensely, with Kotoko being the first to make an attempt at goal just five minutes in. Nations FC responded almost immediately, but their attack was thwarted by Nana Banyin Amoah. The first 15 minutes saw both teams actively exploiting spaces in each other’s half but producing few clear-cut chances.
The deadlock was finally broken five minutes into the second half when Amidou Diarra scored for Nations FC with a powerful header off a corner kick. Kotoko goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim was forced into action multiple times as Nations FC ramped up their offensive efforts post-goal.
Kotoko managed to pull level in the 86th minute when Steve Dese Mukwala found the net after a double save by Nations FC’s goalkeeper Rabin Ousmane. Just five minutes later, Michael Kyei Dwamena put Kotoko ahead with a well-executed team play.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, a penalty was awarded to Nations FC in the dying minutes of the game. The decision was met with outrage from Kotoko’s traveling fans, leading to a temporary halt in the match. Amidou Diarra eventually stepped up to take the penalty, sending the goalkeeper in the wrong direction and securing a draw for the home team.