Coach Kwasi Appiah Shares Experience of Being Attacked by Macho Men and Hit with Sachet Water in Nsoatre

James Kwasi Appiah, a member of Asante Kotoko’s Interim Management Committee, has provided a detailed account of the violent incident he experienced during the clash between Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC on Sunday, January 2, 2025. Appiah, who is also the head coach of the Sudan national football team, spoke out about the attack he endured when the situation at the stadium turned chaotic.

The altercation began when fans of both teams clashed, and the situation quickly escalated, leading to violent confrontations. Appiah described how he was struck in the eye by a sachet of water when a group of five muscular men, referred to as “macho men,” entered the VIP section of the stadium. This aggressive act was part of a larger altercation that involved multiple individuals, including those in the stands.

He revealed that, prior to the match, Nsoatreman FC had assured the organizers that the event would be well-secured, with 120 police officers promised to provide safety and maintain order. However, Appiah shared his disappointment and concern, stating that the actual number of officers present on the day was far below the promised strength. According to him, the actual police presence was fewer than 20 officers, leaving the venue vulnerable to disturbances.

Despite the security concerns, the situation grew tense when a scuffle broke out between the fans, prompting Nsoatreman FC’s owner and former Member of Parliament, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, to intervene. Appiah recalled that Baffour Awuah approached him, asking him to join efforts in calming down the fans. However, Appiah refused, expressing that he didn’t want to get involved in a situation where the unrest was fueled by Awuah’s supporters. He explained that he believed the disturbance was largely caused by the actions of Awuah’s own fanbase, and he did not feel comfortable trying to control the situation under such circumstances.

Appiah further recounted how his refusal to join Awuah in addressing the angry crowd led to a deeper conflict. Baffour Awuah became upset with his decision and reportedly incited some of the Nsoatreman fans to direct their anger toward the Asante Kotoko supporters in the VIP section. A group of five men, described as “macho men,” then came to the VIP area and demanded to take away Kotoko supporters, including Nana Pooley and the Ashanti Regional Supporters Chairman. Appiah questioned their actions, asking why they were targeting innocent supporters who had done nothing wrong, which led to further tension and an ensuing altercation.

Appiah revealed that, in the midst of the chaos, he was hit by a sachet of water as the situation spiraled out of control. According to him, it was only after this violent outburst that Baffour Awuah, the former Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, intervened to stop the attack. Appiah described how Awuah finally managed to get the fans to stop their aggression, bringing an end to the ordeal.

Despite the resolution of the immediate confrontation, Appiah stated that the experience left him shaken, and he chose to leave the stadium shortly thereafter. He shared that, after the incident, he did not feel comfortable staying to watch the rest of the match, leaving the venue as tensions remained high.

The Nsoatreman vs. Kotoko match was marred by several scuffles before, during, and after the game. The most tragic outcome of the violence was the death of popular Kotoko fan Nana Pooley, who was fatally stabbed five times in a confrontation that occurred after the game had ended.

This violent incident has since cast a shadow over the game, highlighting the pressing need for better crowd control, improved security measures, and more effective conflict resolution at football matches to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.