Hearts coach not impressed with officiating in FA Cup final defeat

Accra Hearts of Oak coach, Frank Nuttall says he is disappointed with the level of officiating in the Ghana Premier League and adds that the below par performance of referee Latif Adaari and his assistants contributed to his sides defeat in Sunday’s MTN FA Cup final played in Tamale.

Nuttall admits that his side paid for their poor start in the game but is convinced that if certain calls had gone the way of Hearts of Oak, especially in the second half, they would have been able to stage a comeback and push the game into extra-time or penalty shoot-outs.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, the visibly disappointed coach said ‘We have paid for our poor start to the game and so I maintain that we didn’t lose because Kotoko are better than us but because of our lack of performance in the first half of the game.

“Again, it is important to mention that I have been impressed with the Ghana Premier League. There are good players and the League is competitive but I am deeply disappointed and concerned with the level of officiating in the league.
The poor officiating does the players and the coaches a huge disservice.”

Asante Kotoko beat Heart of Oak 3-1 at the Tamale Sports stadium to win the prestigious MTN FA Cup title on Sunday.

An impressive 45 minutes of brilliance from Kotoko striker Saddick Adams saw the former Ghana youth start score 3 times in the first half to put the Porcupine Warriors on the road to victory.

Adams scored his first goal in as early as the 2nd minute of the game who he profited from a poor judgement and miscommunication on the part of the Hearts defenders and goalkeeper Ben Mensah to place the ball beyond the reach of Mensah.

The Tamale-born Adams doubled the lead from the spot after Obed Owusu was fouled by Richard Akrofi.

Adams netted the third goal on the stroke of halftime after rounding Hearts goalkeeper Ben Mensah.

Hearts rallied back in the second half and grabbed a consolation goal scored by Thomas Abbey late in the game.