May 9 Disaster: Hearts, Kotoko starting XI

May 9th, 2001 is undoubtedly the saddest day in Ghana Sports after 127 football fans lost their lives during a Premier League fixture between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.

In the game, Kotoko shot into the lead through Lawrence Adjei’s first half strike.

The Phobians then scored two late goals thanks to Ismael Addo’s brace.

Hearts of Oak won the game 2-1, but Kotoko fans weren’t happy with officiating on the day they ripped off the seats, the police in response fired teargas causing the death of 127 people.

Hearts line-up

1. Sammy Adjei 2. Amankwaah Mireku 3. Jacob Nettey (C) 4. Dan Quaye 5. Stephen Tetteh 6. Adjah Tetteh 7. Charles Allotey 8. Edmund Copson 9. Ishmael Addo 10. Emmanuel Osei Kuffour 11. Charles Taylor Substitutes 1. Eben Dida 2. Kwame Ali 3. Joe Ansah 4. Bernard Don Bortey 5. Kenneth Sarpong 6. Dan Oppong

Coach: Jones Attuquayefio

Kotoko line-up

1. Osei Boateng 2. Kwaku Duah ‘Cashbola’ 3. Godfred Yeboah 4. Dan Acquah 5. Joseph Hendricks 6. Stephen Oduro 7. Lawrence Adjei 8. Godwin Ablordey (C) 9. Shilla Alhassan 10. Nana Frimpong 11. Frank Asoah



Substitutes

1. Eric Nii Baah 2. Kwaku Kyere ‘puma’ 3. Anas Mohammed 4. Francis Akwaffo 5. Angelo Dedon 6. Abedi Sarfo 7. Joe Okyere

Coach: Ernst Middendorf