Tragedy strikes in Ghana as Asante Kotoko fan stabbed to death during league match

A tragic incident occurred during a Ghana Premier League match on Sunday, as a devoted Asante Kotoko fan, Francis Yaw Frimpong, popularly known as Pooley, was stabbed to death following an argument with an unidentified man.

The incident happened in Nsuatre during Kotoko’s match against local rivals Nsoatreman. In a statement, Nsoatreman described the loss of life as “senseless and devastating.”

Football violence has long been a concern in Ghana. In 2001, a riot in Accra led to over 120 deaths. Sunday’s match was also marred by crowd trouble, with fans throwing objects onto the pitch and storming the field to attack players and officials. Asante Kotoko’s goalkeeper, Mohammed Camara, was reportedly assaulted by “pitch invaders” during the chaos.

Despite the violence, the game continued after a brief stoppage, with Asante Kotoko losing 1-0 to Nsoatreman. Both clubs have condemned the incident, with Nsoatreman stating, “Football is not a war.”

Tributes for Pooley have poured in, with his name trending across Ghana. A passionate supporter, he was well-known for discussing his beloved Kotoko on the radio.

In response to the tragedy, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has banned Nsoatreman from using their home ground, Nana Koramansah Park, and postponed the next round of league matches. The GFA stated, “Such acts have no place in Ghanaian football,” vowing to take decisive action.

Authorities have launched an investigation into Pooley’s death, while calls grow for stricter security at match venues. Despite previous sanctions, including fines and stadium bans, violence remains a persistent issue in Ghanaian football, raising concerns over the effectiveness of current measures.