'I Regret Scoring On May 9' - Addo

Former Hearts of Oak striker Ishmael Addo has said he would have stayed out of the team if he knew his winning goal would have caused people to lose their lives.

Addo scored twice as Hearts of Oak beat Kotoko 2-1 on May 9, 2001 at the Accra Sports Stadium where 127 fans died during a stampede.


A section of Kotoko fans who believed the referee should have disallowed the goal began reacting which led to what is on record as the worst stadium disaster in Africa.


On the occasion of the 13th anniversary, the three-time Ghana Premier League goal king still rues scoring that winning goal.

“If I had the chance and knew this thing would happen, I would have withdrawn from the game,” Addo told Accra-based Radio XYZ.


“The club officials had to even fly me out of the country for a couple of weeks just to get my mind off. I was completely traumatised, and with that experience, I don’t think I can be bold to take my family to the stadium,” he added.