Why Asante Kotoko, penalty are trending on social media

Asante Kotoko have been heavily criticized on social media following their defeat to Bibiani Gold Stars in their opening game of the 2025 Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) Top Four tournament on August 20, 2025.

Albert Adomah scored the first goal for the Porcupine Warriors in the 16th minute, as fans cheered on the team at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.

As the game progressed, a Gold Stars player, Samuel Atta Kyea, controlled the ball and was heading into the penalty box with the intention of beating his marker to find the back of the net.

Kotoko vs Gold Stars: Watch the penalty incident that sparked controversies on social media

However, Kotoko’s Samba made a slide tackle, and the Gold Stars player fell on the edge of the box, prompting the referee to blow his whistle for a penalty, which Atta Kyea converted.

Apart from that, Henry Ansu, under no pressure, attempted to recycle possession by playing the ball back to goalkeeper Mohammed Camara. Unfortunately, Camara had already drifted out of his post to open space for passing, and the back pass rolled into the net, which handed Gold Stars a 2-1 victory.

These two incidents incurred the wrath of some Kotoko fans, who questioned the referee’s decision to award a penalty.

Watch Asante Kotoko’s bizarre own goal in GHALCA Top Four defeat to Gold Stars

They argued that upon watching the review of the incident, Samba seemed to have fouled Atta Kyea on the line and not inside the box, as the referee judged.

Aside from that, Henry Ansu’s own goal was another blunder that triggered outrage on social media, as football fans criticised his level of concentration during the game, citing such an awful pass resulting in a goal.

Read some of the reactions below:

SB/JE

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