Asante Kotoko players present signed jersey to Baba Yara stadium shooting victim

The playing body of Asante Kotoko has today presented a signed replica jersey to the victim of the Baba Yara Stadium police shooting incident during the Porcupines Ghana premier league matchweek 3 fixture against Berekum Chelsea.

A small gesture can sometimes be a big thing for someone. For Augustine Opoku, it was the team’s gesture that came as a huge surprise.

Nana Akwasi Gyambibi, Special Assistant to the Executive Chairman, Dr Kwame Kyei led the team to visit Opoku after training on Friday morning.

The players gave Opoku a red replica jersey which has the signatures of all the players in the team.

The entourage, which included head coach Maxwell Konadu and his technical staff, also gave the victim packs of Paradise Pac drinking water and some assorted items.

Asante Kotoko Present Signed Jersey To Baba Yara Shooting Victim 1

Opoku was standing close to a group of agitated fans, with his hands folded on his chest, when a Police officer shot him with a rubber bullet at close range.

The Kumasi-based commercial driver suffered four pellets of the bullet in his head and has lost his right eye aside suffering facial injuries.

The Christopher Demanya-led National Circles Council has taken full charge of the medical expenses of Opoku.

He has since been discharged from the hospital and is now attending to his wounds at his family house in Abenase near Ejisu.

“He is our fan and so it is good that we visit him from time to time,” Nana Akwasi Gyambibi told Kotoko Express App. “We are very saddened by what happened to him, and are here to make him know that we value him so much as a club.”

Augustine Opoku, who could hardly see clearly, was all tears hearing that the entire team was at his home.

“I am very happy what the team has done for me today,” says Augustine Opoku. “The club has been with me ever since the incident occurred. I can not thank them enough for also bringing the entire team to visit me. I also thank the supporters for everything that they have done for me.”

The incident though has changed Opoku’s life, but could not change his love for the club.

“I pray for God’s blessings for the team as we go to Accra to play Hearts of Oak on Sunday. It is my prayer that we return to Kumasi with the three points.”