The aftermath of the Nations FC vs. Asante Kotoko local derby at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Kumasi turned chaotic as irate Asante Kotoko fans expressed their frustration with the 2-2 draw by vandalizing the stadium’s seats. The tension escalated when a late penalty was awarded to the home team, sparking outrage among visiting supporters.
Kennedy Boakye-Ansah, Brands and Commercial manager for Newbies in the Ghana Premier League, Nations FC, shared his concerns in an interview on Happy FM following the incident. He questioned the destruction of the stadium, emphasizing that the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex belongs to Asanteman, and such actions are counterproductive.
“The alternative venue for Asante Kotoko’s games this season is the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex so why destroy things? These things in our football shouldn’t be entertained. Why would fans of Nations FC destroy properties at their venue? Bankroller for Nations FC, Dr Kwame Kyei has spoken and he is ready to absorb the cost of things vandalized at the stadium”.
The controversy began when referee Abdul Latif Qadir awarded a late penalty to Nations FC. With Asante Kotoko leading 2-1, the penalty decision further agitated the fans, as they believed the game was about to end in their favor. In protest of the penalty call, some Kotoko fans reportedly ripped seats from the stadium stands and threw them onto the pitch.
The match officials had to suspend the game for more than 10 minutes to restore order, despite the disruptions, the home side successfully converted the penalty, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
This incident was one of four separate cases of hooliganism that occurred over the weekend, with similar incidents reported in Dormaa, Tamale, and Dawu. These destructive actions by a small group of fans marred what was otherwise a competitive match and raised concerns about the behavior of supporters in Ghanaian football.
The Ghana Football Association and various stakeholders are expected to address these issues and work on measures to ensure that the passion for the game is channeled positively, without damaging the facilities meant to promote the sport.