Asante Kotoko coach Mariano Barreto has disclosed the 'real reason' why his outfit lost to Berekum Chelsea in the quarter-final of the MTN FA Cup on Sunday.
According to Barreto, the players were afraid after some fans of the club invaded their hotel to insult the team ahead of the game at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium.
Chelsea sailed through to the semis after seeing off the Porcupine Warriors through penalty kicks. Both teams failed to score after full time and the thirty minutes of extra which was played.
Chelsea won the game 5-4 on penalties after Abdul Manaf missed his kick.
''People who are supposed to be Kotoko supporters came to where we were having our lunch to insult our players, so most of the players played today because we told them to play,'' Barreto said in his post-match speech.
''I have told the management to investigate and punish those supporters who did that.''
Failure to win the Ghana Premier League title means Kotoko have ended the 2020/21 season trophyless.