Asante Kotoko have sacked coach Maxwell Konadu following their first defeat of the season at the hands of Great Olympics on Thursday.

The Porcupine Warriors failed to impress as they lost 1-0 in the Ghana Premier League outstanding fixture in Accra.

Assistant coach Johnson Smith will take charge of the team on an interim basis whilst the club decide on a replacement.

"Management of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club wishes to inform the general public that it has decided to part ways with Coach Maxwell Konadu as its Head Coach with immediate effect. Coach Johnson Smith has been appointed to lead the team in the interim," Kotoko announced on Twitter.

Konadu returned for his second stint last year. In Konadu's first stint with the Porcupine Warriors, he won the league comfortably, finishing 14 points ahead of neighbours AshantiGold to clinch their 22nd league title in their history.

In the 30 matches played, Konadu’s side won 18, drawing nine and losing just three.

However, his second coming was nowhere near the first as the former Black Stars B coach struggled for form.

After being appointed in 2019, Konadu has overseen 20 games as Kotoko boss winning just nine of those, drawing seven and losing four.

Kotoko play Dreams FC at Dawu before they host Al Hilal in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.