Kumasi Asante Kotoko head coach Karim Zito did not hide his frustration after his side’s 3-1 defeat to Kpando Heart of Lions in the Ghana Premier League, openly criticising the performance of his wingers.
The Week 21 clash of the 2025/2026 GPL season, played in Kpando, brought Kotoko’s recent momentum to a halt after their emphatic 3-0 win over Basake Holy Stars in the previous round.
The loss also proved costly in the title race. Kotoko missed the chance to close the gap on league leaders Medeama SC, who themselves slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Nations FC.
Medeama remain top of the table with 43 points, eight clear of third-placed Kotoko.
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Speaking after the game, Zito admitted he was surprised by the result, particularly the manner in which his side conceded.
“I wasn’t expecting this because, honestly, we prepared very well for the game,” he said.
“What shocked me most were the two goals we conceded from set pieces. We worked a lot on how to defend and even attack from set pieces before this match.”
The Kotoko coach reserved his strongest criticism for his wide players, insisting they failed to deliver in key moments.
“When you look at our wingers, they didn’t operate the way I wanted them to,” Zito noted. “Goals are easily created through the wings, and today my wingers did not do well.”
The defeat raises fresh questions for the Porcupine Warriors as they look to steady themselves and keep their title hopes alive in the remaining matches of the season.
NA/AM
