Asante Kotoko’s Kwesi Appiah Recounts Events Surrounding Nana Pooley’s Tragic Death at Nsoatreman

Asante Kotoko’s Kwesi Appiah Recounts Events Surrounding Nana Pooley’s Tragic Death at Nsoatreman

Asante Kotoko Interim Management Committee member James Kwesi Appiah has shared his account of the tragic events that unfolded at the Nana Konamansah II Park in Nsoatreman, which led to the death of Kotoko fan, Nana Pooley, during the Ghana Premier League match on February 2, 2025.

Appiah recounted the lack of police presence at the match, revealing that despite promises to deploy 120 officers, fewer than 20 were present when the violence erupted.

According to Appiah, calm was restored on the pitch after a scuffle, but there were further concerns about the fairness of the referee’s decisions.

“On what basis did the referee give Kotoko two red cards while Nsoatreman received only one? Both teams’ players were involved in the fight, so how is that fair?” he questioned.

He also described his attempts to calm the supporters after the disturbance. Appiah explained that the MP had asked him to help defuse the tension, but he found that it was the MP’s own supporters causing the trouble. “We were outnumbered. The Kotoko fans at the VIP section said, ‘No, we won’t let you go because it’s risky. I even got hit by a sachet of water in the process,” he said.

Appiah shared that it was only after the intervention of the former Minister that the situation was finally brought under control. “As soon as they stopped, I left the stadium and did not watch the game again. What we didn’t know at the time was that the same men who earlier wanted to take Pooley away were waiting for him at the entrance,” he revealed, underscoring the tragic turn of events that led to the supporter’s untimely death.

The account adds to the growing concerns over safety and security at football matches, especially following the tragic loss of Pooley, which has sparked outrage within the football community and beyond.

Meanwhile the Bono Regional Police Headquarters has arrested Ignatius Baffour Awuah, the owner and bankroller of Nsoatreman FC.

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