“GFA ban disrupted us”- Johnson Smith

Asante Kotoko SC Deputy trainer Johnson Smith says the GFA Disciplinary Committee ban ahead of their MTN FA Cup game against Asokwa Deportivo disrupted their preparations.

The Ghana Football Association Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday announced charges against Asante Kotoko SC head coach Mariano Barreto and Emmanuel Gyamfi. Though, the Reds managed to win 2-1 at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium but insist the team got affected considering the time the announcement was made.

The Portuguese tactician was handed a game ban and fined an amount of three thousand Ghana cedis whiles Emmanuel Gyamfi received a game ban and a fine of One Thousand Ghana cedis.

Coach Johnson Smith as a result of that, took charge of the team to win 2-1.

Asante Kotoko laboured to overcome the Division One side at the Len Clay Stadium.

“There are certain things that are very frustrating, like banning a player or a coach on the same day we have concluded our selection on matchday”.

“They should have brought it out 2 days or 3 days earlier so that we will not involve them in our preparations but if we have prepared with them throughout and later it pawns out like this then is very worrisome and it did affect us because that was not how we wanted to play”, Johnson Smith said after the game.

Asante Kotoko SC have qualified to the quarter-finals and awaits the next opponent after the draw.