Kotoko chief Opoku Nti denies match-fixing claims

Kotoko chief, Samuel Opoku Nti, has dismissed allegations of match-fixing against his club following recent shocking defeats in the Ghanaian top-flight.

The Porcupine Warriors were clobbered 3-1 by All Stars on Wednesday to delay their championship triumph.

However, there are many who are simply not buying their recent slips after a 1-10 defeat to Inter Allies last Saturday.

But Kotoko General Manager Samuel Opoku Nti insists they are not on a match-fixing spree.

“Anytime Kotoko draws or loses a match, there are widespread allegations of wrong-doing from your detractors, but for me, if your player commits a blunder, you get people pointing accusing fingers,” he said.

“If a goalkeeper commits a mistake, people are fast to allege that, that goalkeeper has taken bribe. But for me, I would not allow these claims to distract my focus as far as what I want to achieve for Kotoko is concerned.

“In football, no matter what a team does, no team can win all of its matches to win the league title. The three principles in football are bound to happen. The only thing is that when they happen, they serve as a wake-up call.

“When Kotoko was winning matches, nobody alleged that such wins were fixed, but the reverse happens when Kotoko loses matches”.

He claimed fatigue has taken a toll on the side.

“I think fatigue has set in and if the club were to be financially strong now, I would ensure that the players are taken to camp because it has proven to pay off, especially looking at the results of the team in our first 7 matches after our pre-season in Wa,” he claimed

“Such a move would help bolster discipline in the team and also help to ensure that some of the players’ lifestyles are kept under control, especially with the remainder of our matches.

“We need to work out something to generate funds to undertake this. Don’t forget the ban on us has also worked against the club”.

Kotoko has managed just five points from their last seven matches.