Konadu calls for more player protection

Kotoko coach Maxwell Konadu wants more protection of players in the Ghana premier league after witnessing a very physical Super Clash in Accra on Sunday.

The reds were in Accra for the seventh week fixture this season against Hearts that turned into a brutal hacking contest in the first half. By the middle of the first half the Kotoko gaffer was on his feet, screaming in fear as both sets of players engaged in a hack-a-thon.

“They [Kotoko and Hearts players] played well but for me I think the referees should have done something to protect them,” he lamented after the game.

“I think that next time they have to protect the players. Some of the tackles were too bad.”

Ahmed Toure and Nat Asamoah were particularly targeted by Hearts’, with Mahatma Otoo and Uriah Asante also getting strong challenges from the Kumasi side. Asante left the game early in the first half through one such strong challenge while Kotoko’s Yahaya Mohammed also suffered a minor leg injury in the middle of the second.

Awal Mohammed largely allowed the game to flow, but even he could not ignore some of the heftier tackles. In the end the game recorded seven yellow cards and the match finished goalless.