Asante Kotoko coach Steven Polack has conceded his side benefited from a fictitious penalty in Wednesday’s MTN FA Cup quarterfinals win over lower tier side Nea Salamina.
The game played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium looked to be heading for a score draw in regulation time and a subsequent shootouts when referee Nuhu Liman Yakubu pointed to the spot in favour of the Porcupines after midfielder Seth Opare took a tumble in the opponent box.
Polack said at post-match presser that centre referee Yakubu Nuhu Liman got his call wrong.
The English trainer noted:
“I’m always honest [about] if [a decision] is a penalty or not. No, it’s not a penalty in my eyes.
“And for me, I was embarrassed. I wanted to win the game but I don’t want to win that way,” he added.
Kotoko took the lead in the 12th minute through striker Sadick Adams but the visitors pegged back in the 36th courtesy an Obeng K. Junior strike. Captain Amos Frimpong then converted the controversial penalty 4 minutes into additional time.
The Porcupine Warriors join three other Premier League clubs – Wa All Stars, Medeama and arch-rivals Hearts of Oak in the semifinals of the 2017 MTN FA Cup.
