I thought it was a joke when I heard Kotoko was playing with 10 men - Herbert Mensah
Mr. Herbert Mensah
Former Executive Chairman of Asante Kotoko, Herbert Mensah has criticized the club's decision to play with 10 men instead of the usual 11 in their game against defending league champions Aduana Stars.
Read full articleThe Porcupine Warriors caused a stir a few weeks ago when they began their matchday 11 game without Martin Antwi for the first 45 minutes despite the player being named in the starting line-up.
Sensing the use of black magic or juju, host team Aduana Stars also played the entire first half without Farouk Adams, though he was also named in the starting 11.
Kotoko eventually lost the game by a lone goal and according to Herbert Mensah, he initially didn't believe the news that his former club had started a Premier League game with 10 players.
"I thought it was comedy when i first head it. When I run a sporting institution whether Asante Kotoko or the rugby team, there are global rules and a global way to play so you cannot do what you want."
"I think when you go to Europe or other parts of the world with this story people will start laughing at you, and I think they have created an issue for themselves."
He added that even South Americans who also believe in superstition will not condone such an act and that would not have happened if he was the Executive Chairman of the club.
"I have never heard of Barcelona, Real Madrid or any of the teams in South American, who also believe in superstition ever deciding to play with a reduce number or do something which is not in line with global standards."
"You cannot take this kind of behaviour into a Champions League game and say because somebody has seen this, you must do that in a game and I don't think this would have happened when we were running the club, “he told the Accra based Angel FM.
