Akonnor, Frimpong Manso slam Kotoko defending against Nkana
Asante Kotoko coach Charles Akonnor has blamed
his defence for Sunday’s 3-1 away defeat to Nkana FC of Zambia in the CAF
Confederation Cup.
The Porcupine Warriors suffered their second
loss of the group stage as Ronald Kampamba’s double and Freddy Tshimenga’s
penalty secured all points for the home side at the Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
The result leaves the Kumasi-based side bottom
of Group C, having lost two games and won one.
“Today the match was won on one difference,
which was our defensive department,” Akonnor said.
‘’We lost because my team made a lot of
defensive errors that proved costly.
“We lacked the understanding of our
opponent’s aerial balls.
“Nkana made a lot of good crosses in the
box that we failed to contain.’’
Nkana netted first through Tshimenga before
Songne Yacouba leveled for Kotoko from a free-kick.
Kampamba then scored a goal in each half to send
Kalampa top of the table.
“Kotoko is a good team and it wasn’t easy for
us,” Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi said.
“But I am happy with the way the boys have
come out after losing the derby in the league to our rivals Power Dynamos.
“We prepared very well for this game and the
win shows we can fight back and play at any level.”
Meanwhile, former coach and player of Kotoko Frimpong Manso says
too many defensive errors at the back caused the team’s defeat against Nkana FC
on Sunday in Kitwe.
The goals conceded by Kotoko were very avoidable as they gifted Nkana with the victory after a series of blunders.
Analyzing the game after the defeat, Frimpong Manso said, “the defensive errors were too much and Kotoko opened the game too much. The centre backs were also not protected because they suffered throughout the game.
Despite the errors, Kotoko played very well yesterday but the unnecessary errors at the back caused the team the defeat”, he told Happy FM.
He added that, Kotoko went into the game with the mindset of winning or getting at least a draw so they decided to open the game right from the onset. Nkana FC created chances and Kotoko kept making mistakes at the back.
Frimpong was optimistic that Kotoko can revenge this defeat in the reverse fixture at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in a week’s time
“I am very sure that Kotoko can beat Nkana FC in Kumasi. Kotoko should comeback and correct their mistakes although they will lose Amos Frimpong. Nkana FC will lose two key players.
–Goal.com
