Deputy Operations Manager of Kotoko, Alhaji Ali Maradona has blamed the club’s one-all draw with their sworn rivals Accra Hearts of Oak on Sunday, July 25, on “the weakness of the midfield”.

The Porcupine Warriors on Sunday drew first blood courtesy a rebound from Kwame Boateng, but Hearts came back stronger in the second half and found the equaliser through forward Patrick Razak.

Speaking to Class Sports after the game, Ali Maradona said their midfielders were half-fit.

“I thought Kotoko would carry the day [because we led in the first half], but unfortunately, we didn’t make it. You know, we have a problem with our midfield – Nyarko and Theophilus Nyame are both half-fit – so we couldn’t maintain our line and they managed to get a draw,” he stated.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko are fourth on the league log and five points behind Accra Hearts of Oak, who are leading the table with 38 points.

Kotoko’s next game is against bottom-placed New Edubiase United in a mid-week fixture.