The madness returns

The game on the local seen was brought into disrepute yet again on Sunday January 4, 2009 in Kotoko’s 2:1 loss to Sporting Mirren in their Glo Premier League encounter at the Ohene Djan stadium, in Accra.

For a moment it seemed the May 9, 2001 stadium disaster which claimed the lives of 126 people was been replayed, when irate supporters of Kumasi Asante Kotoko went on rampage during the match attacking everything and everyone they could lay hands on.

Play was halted for close to 20 minutes as security officials and Kotoko management members tried in vain to calm these irrational supporters at the East stand of the stadium.

The hooligans were incensed at the decision by Tamale based referee Seidu Bomison to disallow Alex Asamoah’s 87th minute goal and threw all kinds of missiles onto the field of play to cause harm to the officials at the far side.

The goal, if allowed would have enabled the Porcupine Warriors earn a point from the match after going down 2:1 earlier to Sporting Mirren.

The fans had lots of concern with the level of officiating exhibited by the referee and his assistants who seemed to disagree for most part of the game.

On some occasions, he looked on as players were brought down and he took some decisions that the fans found inappropriate.

The referee also failed to give Kotoko the advantage when they clearly had a good chance to go on the attack but instead whistled for an infringement against them.

Mr. Bomison does not appear to be new to controversy when it comes to matches involving Kotoko and other local teams.

The Communications Director of Kotoko, Kwame Baah-Nuakoh recounts some problems with Bomison in the past.

“This is not the first time I have commented about Seidu Bomison,” he said.

“I have written letters to the FA about the conduct of Bomison insisting that there would be a disaster the next time he is appointed to officiate matches involving Kotoko” he added.

Baah-Nuako went on to give instances in which Kotoko had been treated unfairly, “Bomison gave Hearts a last minute dubious goal against Kotoko four years ago at Sunyani. At a time Kotoko were leading, he made sure Hearts equalized.”

“Again when Kotoko played against Hearts at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast two years ago, he sent off Ahmed Toure for an incident the striker was no where near to.”

Baah-Nuakoh, however admitted that his team did not play well in the game.
Club sources tell this writer that midfielder Jordan Opoku tied the knot on Saturday and Kotoko danger man Francis Coffie was his Best Man.

The two players were missing in action on Sunday with the blessing of the club’s management because Jordan Opoku had apparently sought permission for the wedding last year.

In fact Kotoko looked disjointed for most part of the game. Belgian coach, Maurice Coorman also played some of his key players out of position.

Right full back, Samuel Inkoom was played at the left full back position thereby limiting his overlapping runs on the flank while Godfred Yeboah, a natural left footer, was played in central defensive position.  Added to that is Striker Frederick Quayson who played as a defensive midfielder in the game.

The Porcupine Warriors were indeed fortunate when Sporting Mirren’s defender Richard Sosu headed into his own net 28 minutes in the game .  But Mirren equalized eleven minutes later after Samuel Solomon’s beautifully taken free kick beat Erick Nii Bah.

By Erasmus Kwaw