Basake Holy Stars head coach Abdulai Gazale voiced strong criticism of Asante Kotoko’s technical approach after the two teams clashed in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday, October 27, 2024. The game, held at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park, saw Basake Holy Stars come from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with the Porcupine Warriors during match week eight.
In a post-game interview, Gazale, who has a history with Kotoko, did not hold back in assessing his former team’s performance. He expressed disappointment with their strategy and lack of technical prowess on the field. Gazale remarked, “Kotoko is not playing any game. To me, technically, they are not playing any game.” His words suggested a deeper issue with Kotoko’s overall approach, a critique he felt was substantiated by the way his own team played against them.
Gazale pointed out that Basake Holy Stars had entered the game with a clear tactical plan and were pressing aggressively, especially in the first half. Reflecting on their chances, he shared, “We knew what our team is capable of. The way we were pressing in the first half, if we had taken our chances, we would have won the game.” Despite his team’s efforts, they missed several opportunities that could have put them ahead earlier in the match. Gazale noted this was a recurring theme, similar to what his team experienced in their previous game against Hearts of Oak.
The match’s dynamics highlighted Kotoko’s struggle to maintain control and capitalize on their lead. The Porcupine Warriors initially went ahead in the 36th minute when Albert Amoah found the back of the net with a well-placed strike. Kotoko fans were optimistic about their team’s chances of securing a fourth consecutive win, a victory that would have strengthened their position in the league standings. However, the lead did not hold as Basake Holy Stars fought back fiercely.
Basake’s resilience paid off late in the game, as Prince Tweneboah stepped up in the 81st minute to score the equalizer. The home crowd erupted as Tweneboah’s goal kept their team’s spirits high, denying Kotoko the victory they sought. Gazale’s criticism reflects an ongoing concern about Kotoko’s performance level, especially when facing teams that bring strategic pressure and capitalize on tactical preparation.
The match has prompted conversations among fans and analysts, with some supporting Gazale’s view that Kotoko may need to re-evaluate their game plan if they are to achieve lasting success this season. As they look to their next fixtures, the pressure is mounting for Kotoko’s coaching staff to address these tactical gaps and improve their consistency on the pitch.
