A Ghana Premier League game between Nsoatreman and Asante Kotoko has ended in tragedy following the death of a football fan at the Nsoatre stadium in the Bono Ahafo region.
Francis Frimpong, known locally as “Pooley” and identified as a devoted Asante Kotoko supporter, was fatally stabbed during what began as a confrontation in the VIP section of the stadium.
According to an eyewitness who was present in the VIP section, the incident unfolded near former Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, who owns Nsoatreman FC. The situation escalated when Baffour Awuah attempted to involve Kwasi Appiah, Head of Asante Kotoko’s Technical Directorate, in calming rising tensions.
“I was seated right below Hon. Baffour Awuah when the fight started on the pitch,” the eyewitness reported. “When Kwasi Appiah declined to join him due to safety concerns, this appeared to frustrate Baffour Awuah.”
The victim, described as fair-complexioned and wearing a white shirt with a Kotoko flag, reportedly approached Baffour Awuah to appeal for calm. “Pooley told him, ‘Oh, Honourable, what the fans are doing is not good; tell them to stop,'” the witness recounted. However, this interaction led to a physical altercation that ultimately turned fatal.
Despite attempts to get medical attention, Frimpong was reportedly stabbed in the upper left chest, near the heart. The eyewitness, who claimed medical expertise, stated that the victim was transported via tricycle to an ambulance, but the location of the ambulance—near the players’ dressing rooms—may have delayed crucial response time.
Frimpong’s last words were particularly poignant: “Even if there’s an ambulance, they won’t take me to the hospital.” According to the witness, who followed the ambulance to Nsoatre Ghana Health Service, Frimpong likely died at the stadium before reaching medical care.
The match, which saw Nsoatreman secure a 1-0 victory over Kotoko, was marred by shocking displays of indiscipline as players from both sides engaged in multiple on-field brawls.
The incident has raised serious questions about security measures at Premier League venues and the growing concern over violence at football matches in Ghana. Local authorities have yet to make an official statement regarding the investigation into this tragic event.
This fatal stabbing marks one of the most serious incidents of football-related violence in recent Ghanaian football history and is likely to prompt calls for enhanced security measures at Premier League venues across the country.
The constant fighting and unsportsmanlike conduct throughout the game cast a dark shadow over the league’s reputation, highlighting serious concerns about player discipline and match control.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has responded swiftly to the incident by imposing an indefinite ban on the Professor Amoah Kromansah II stadium pending investigation.
