Hearts of Oak & Asante Kotoko Demand Stronger Match Security

Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko Push for Better Security at League Matches

The two giants of football in Ghana Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko SC have joined forces to demand stronger security at Ghana Premier League matches. The two clubs announced after a strategic meeting in Accra that they’ll be presenting a detailed position paper to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on February 6, 2025.

The call for action follows the unfortunate death of Nana Pooley, a passionate Kotoko fan. Both clubs say his passing highlights the urgent need for better safety measures. “The tragic and unfortunate incident involving the loss of Nana Pooley is a poignant reminder of the paramount importance of ensuring the safety of all football fans,” their statement read.

Hearts of Oak extended condolences to Kotoko, promising to work together for change. “The Hearts Board used the occasion to wish Kotoko condolences and assured them that Hearts of Oak would work with them and other stakeholders to ensure that the death would not be in vain,” the statement added.

The clubs want “enhanced security protocols” and plan to collaborate with the GFA, government, police, and supporters to make sure matches are safe for everyone.

They also urged the GFA to act quickly. “The clubs earnestly call upon the Ghana Football Association to take prompt and decisive action on the recommendations outlined in their position paper.”

This measure is long overdue, as this isn’t the first time a football fan(s) has passed away. Security issues within the Ghanaian Premier League have persisted for years. The most notable incident is the disaster that occurred at the Accra Sports Stadium on 9 May 2001. In an effort to control outraged Kotoko fans who couldn’t accept their loss, the police resorted to using tear gas, which caused a stampede and led to the loss of 126 lives. Even now, this incident remains one of the worst stadium disasters ever to occur in Africa.

Not forgetting that five years ago, there was an alleged shooting at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi during a Ghana Premier League match between Asante Kotoko and Berekum. This incident left some football fans injured, with one fan hospitalized.

This joint effort shows how serious Hearts and Kotoko are about making football safer for fans, and it is critical because football lovers should not have to worry about their lives when they go to enjoy a game. Hopefully, the GFA pays expeditious attention to this issue.

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