Asante Kotoko interim manager Michael Osei has claimed that his side were unfortunate to lose against Hearts of Oak in the semifinals of the GHALCA G6 tournament.

The Porcupine Warriors have failed to successfully defend title as they handed a defeat by their bitterest rivals Hearts of Oak on Sunday at the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi.  

Both sides scored from the spot in regulation time after brilliant exchanges in a regulation time that ended 1-1 but it was Hearts who edged past Kotoko to set up a final date with Aduana Stars who finished runners up to the Porcupine Warriors in the previous edition.

Hearts won the shoot-outs 6-5 on penalties thanks to the impressive exploits of newly signed goalkeeper Ben Mensah.

“I think luck was not on our side, we played good football, we dominated and as you saw we needed a win but it didn’t happen that way,” he said after the game.

“Penalties can go in favor of anyone and we were unlucky it did not go in favor of us, we will go back and prepare for the season.