Asante Kotoko in auto crash, one dead, many injured
At least one person has been confirmed dead and several others injured, following a car crash involving players and officials of the Asante Kotoko Football Club of Kumasi on Wednesday night.
The accident occurred at about 9.45 P.M on Wednesday at Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region of the country. The team’s bus conveying players and officials ran into a stationary truck loaded with rice, killing one of the occupants and leaving several others injured. Thirty-five persons, including players and team officials were on board when the incident happened.
The Kotoko team was returning to Kumasi from Tema after playing Inter Allies FC in the Ghana premier league fixture on Wednesday. The Kumasi based team had lost to their rival by a lone goal.
The dead victim was identified as Kofi Asare, the Assistant Equipment Officer of the team. Some injured persons were said to undergoing treatment at the Holy Family Hospital, Nkawkaw, while those who sustained minor injuries had been discharged.
Kotoko confirmed the accident on the team’s official twitter account and in a statement the management issued later.
The earlier announcement said, “The accident occurred around 9.45 P.M at Nkawkaw, when our bus ran into a stationary vehicle. Personnel on the bus are generally fine. Some are however receiving treatment at the Holy Family Hospital, Nkawkaw. Management requests that fans stay calm. A full statement on the incident will be issued in due course.”
The statement from the management however announced the passing of the Team’s Deputy Equipment Officer saying, “We regret to announce that, our Deputy Equipment Officer, Kofi Asare could not make it. Management has met the family to brief them of the sad event.”
The statement added that the team’s coach, Steven Polack, Team Manager, Godwin Ablordey, a midfielder, Ollennu Ashiley and the bus driver, Nana Berkye were on admission receiving treatment. The Phase Four of the Zenith Women Basketball League ended yesterday at the Lekan Salami Stadium Ibadan with First Deepwater, IGP Queens recording victories.
IGP Queens after string of losses were able to beat the FCT Queens 60-55 in one of the final round of matches played yesterday.
Another underdog team, GT2000, were also glorious with a 76-53 victory over AHIP Queens in one of the morning belt games. Both sides gave a good account of themselves in the keenly contested encounter.
In the first match of the last day, First Deepwater were better in all departments of the game as they defeated Plateau Rocks 70-57.
With the conclusion of the Phase Four, attention shifts to Lagos for the final Phase of the competition expected to take place later in the month.
Top officials of Zenith Bank, sponsors of the competition, have concluded arrangements to make the Grand Finale glorious in Lagos.