Ocloo, who had been with the club’s technical team since September 2021, stepped down just before the team’s 1-0 victory over their arch-rivals, Hearts of Oak, in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday.

Ocloo initially joined Kotoko as an assistant coach under head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum, alongside John Eduafo.

The team enjoyed success in the 2021/22 season, securing the Ghana Premier League title.

However, following that achievement, the entire technical staff took a break for the subsequent season.

During the 2022/23 season, Ocloo moved to Hearts of Oak, where he served first as an assistant coach and then as interim head coach.

He rejoined Kotoko for the 2023/24 season to resume his role as assistant coach.

The reasons behind Ocloo’s departure remain unclear, and it is unknown whether he intends to take on a new coaching position in the near future.

Despite his sudden resignation, Asante Kotoko is set to face Dreams FC in their Matchday 14 fixture at the Tuba Astro Turf.

The team’s struggles were exacerbated by a 2-0 loss against Dreams FC on Sunday during the Matchday 26 fixture at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu. Sylvester Simba and Derrick Agyei secured the goals for the home team in that match.

This defeat marks a challenging period for the Porcupine Warriors, who have managed only one victory in their last nine games of the ongoing 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season.

Following the setback in Dawu, Asante Kotoko currently sits at the 11th position in the league standings with 33 points, under the management of Prosper Narteh Ogum.

Addressing the media post-match, Ocloo emphasized their determination to reverse their fortunes as they prepare to host the league leaders at the Baba Yara Stadium for the Matchday 27 encounter.

“Baba Yara is our fortress, our stronghold,” Ocloo remarked to StarTimes.

“If we are to turn things around, it must happen at Baba Yara this Sunday against Samartex,” he added.

The highly anticipated fixture is set to kick off at 15:00 GMT on Sunday.

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The Porcupine Warriors on Thursday night at the Baba Yara Stadium suffered a 2-1 defeat against Nsoatreman in the Matchday 26 games.

The defeat means Kotoko has failed to win a game in the last six games, leaving them at the 10th on the Premier League log with 33 points.

Speaking in the post-game interview after seeing his side concede a goal in added-on time, Ocloo was frustrated with the result and pointed to a lack of concentration as the source of the defeat.

“After they scored, we played very well, we equalized but during the dying embers (of the game), we lost concentration and in football, you lose concentration and your opponent will punish you; that’s exactly what happened,” he told StarTimes.

Abdul Manaf gave the away side the lead but Shadrack Addo equalized to end the first half 1-1. However, Mohammed Abdul Rahaman’s late goal sealed the win for Maxwell Konadu’s side.

Asante Kotoko will hope to return to winning ways when they travel to play Dreams FC at the Theatre of Dreams at Dawu in the Matchday 26 games.

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The Porcupine Warriors saw their misery compounded with another home defeat against Nsoatreman FC at the Baba Yara Stadium on Thursday night in the Matchday 25 games.

Abdul Manaf gave the away side an early lead but Shadrack Addo equalized for the home side but Mohammed Abdul Rahaman’s late winner sealed all three points for Maxwell Konadu’s side which also extended Kotoko’s winless run to six games in the league.

Fans of the club have called for the dissolution of the technical team, but Ocloo is confident the technical team will turn things around.

“When things are not going well, who do they blame? It’s always the technical team. We will take it in good faith, we are still working and we will turn things around,” he said after the game.

“We are a work in progress, there is no pressure on us. We just have to go back and work hard, and try to turn things around,” he added.

Asante Kotoko, who now sits 10th on the Premier League log will hope to return to winning ways when the travel to play Dreams FC in the matchday 26 games at the Theatre of Dreams at Dawu.

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The Porcupine Warriors lost at home once again to Nations FC by 1-0 on Week 23 of the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

The defeat condemned Kotoko to 9th position with 32 points after 23 games. The club picked just 3 points from a possible 18 in the last six games.

Fans of the club, after the game against Nations FC, were incensed by the string of poor results, calling for the dissolution of the technical team led by Head Coach Dr. Prosper Ogum Narteh.

But assistant coach, Davido Ocloo, is encouraging the fans to keep supporting the club in this difficult period to change the fortunes of the club in the current campaign.

“It’s a very difficult situation,” Ocloo admitted while speaking in a pitchside post-match interview after the game. We need some time, but it will come, they should forgive us for such a result but they should keep supporting us and we will not disappoint them.

“It’s not over yet, this is the time we need them most so they shouldn’t neglect us, we will turn things around,” he said.

Asante Kotoko will hope to return to winning ways when they travel to Bechem to play Bechem United before hosting Nsoatreman FC at Baba Yara.

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Ibrahim Tanko’s side recorded a 3-2 win against the Porcupine Warriors at the Baba Yara Stadium in the matchday 21 games.

Reflecting on the game, Ocloo expressed his disappointment but commended Lions for their hard-fought win.

“Yes, like you rightly said, it is very, very disappointing,” he said. “But congratulations to Accra Lions. They played well and they deserved to win,” he told StarTimes after the game.

“Accra Lions run more than us; football now is about running and they did it better than us today and they got the game,” he added.

Asante Kotoko despite suffering second consecutive defeat is still fourth on the league standings with 32 points and will hope to return to winning ways when they travel to face Aduana Stars in the matchday 22 games at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in Dormaa.

Meanwhile, Accra Lions have moved from 14th to 10th on the table with 27 points.

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On Saturday afternoon, the Porcupine Warriors faced the Premier League returnees at the Hohoe Sports Stadium for the matchday 18 games.

In the 52nd minute, the home side secured the much-needed three points with Godfred Kwadwo Asamoah’s only goal.

After the match, Ocloo spoke out against the officiating, calling for improved performance from match officials.

“I wouldn’t want to talk about the referee, but we all saw what happened. I think if we want our football to progress, our referees need to step up,” he said.

Asante Kotoko’s defeat leaves them in 3rd place with 29 points.

The team aims to bounce back when they host Bibiani Gold Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, March 3, for the matchday 19 games.

Ocloo made these remarks after his side recorded a hard-fought 3-2 win on Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium.

A brace from striker Steven Mukwala and a goal from Isaac Oppong secured the win for the Porcupine Warriors as Linda Mtange Martin Karikari scored for the Phobians.

Speaking after the game, a delighted Ocloo picked out consistency as his team’s biggest asset in the win.

On the other hand, Hearts assistant coach Abdul Rahim Bashiru blamed his team’s loss on a lack of mental toughness. 

“It’s about consistency. We’ve been playing the same team for some time now and I think this (win over Hearts) will lift us to fight for the title” he stated.

Ocloo also praised the playing body following the win.

“I think they are very committed and the unity among them; that is what is working” he added.

Asante Kotoko will host Great Olympics in the matchday 15 games at the Baba Yara stadium.

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His comments come after recording a hard-fought 1-0 win against Berekum Chelsea on Monday at the Baba Yara Stadium in the final game of the matchday 12 games.

Steven Mukwala scored the only goal of the game as the Porcupine Warriors secured the three points.

Speaking after the game, Ocloo said they will intensify their preparation as they hope to secure positive results against their sworn rivals on Sunday.

“We are going back and work once again and make sure we get a decent result against Hearts of Oak,” he told StarTimes.

“We will have a positive result on Sunday,” he added. 

The win means the Porcupine Warriors now sit 7th on the Premier League log with 19 points.

Asante Kotoko will clash with the bitterest rivals at the Baba Yara Stadium in the matchday 13 games on Sunday with kick-off scheduled at 15:00GMT.

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During the weekend game at the WAFA Park in Sogakope, Narteh Ogum was absent from the dugout due to his participation in the License B coaching course.

In his absence, Ocloo took charge of the team in their matchday 12 encounter against The Royals.

Legon Cities initially took the lead with Nasiru Moro’s impressive free-kick hitting the net in the 27th minute.

However, in the second half, Mohammed Suleman scored an own goal in the 67th minute, followed by Stephen Mukwala extending the lead for the away side in the 75th minute. Isaac Oppong sealed the victory late in injury time.

After the game, Ocloo credited Ogum’s halftime pep talk for the successful outcome against Legon Cities.

“It was a difficult goal to concede, but I told my players to keep going, and they did that to ensure we win. I dedicate this win to our boss, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum; he’s been a marvelous boss so far,” Ocloo stated to StarTimes.

“I thank him for this opportunity and will thank him also for the pep talk during recess; it has been a wonderful pep talk because it really inspired the players,” he added.

Following this win, Asante Kotoko has moved to the 8th position on the league table with 16 points. They are set to host Berekum Chelsea at the Baba Yara Stadium in the upcoming matchday 13 this weekend.

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In the matchday 10 games, the Porcupine Warriors who had suffered back-to-back defeats against Nsoatreman FC and Dreams FC lost by a lone goal over the weekend.

Former Kotoko midfielder, Emmanuel Keyeke scored the only goal as the Timber Boys sealed the win.

The defeat leave the Reds at the 16th on the Premier League table with 10 points out of a possible 30.

Speaking after suffering their third consecutive defeat, Ocloo said they went into the game with a game plan but the home side were more determined and focused to record the win.

“We came with a game plan, but Samartex were more determined, and they wanted it more than us but during recess, we also re-strategised and came in but it’s unfortunate we couldn’t score,” coach Ocloo observed.

Asante Kotoko will hope to return to winning ways when they host defending champions, Medeama SC at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday in the matchday 11 games this weekend.

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His comments come after the Porcupine Warriors suffered a 1-0 defeat against FC Samartex 1996 on Saturday in the matchday 10 games at Nsenkyire Park in Samreboi.

This means Kotoko has suffered three consecutive defeats in the ongoing 2023/24 season which leave them in the 16th position on the league log with 10 points.

Speaking after the game, Ocloo said the team must be aggressive and purposeful in front of goal.

“During recess, we re-strategized and came in strongly but it is unfortunate we couldn’t score,” he said.

“Yes of course anytime the wins, the goals are not coming, they are worrying times. We need to be more aggressive and purposeful in front of goal,” Ocloo added.

Emmanuel Keyeke scored the only goal for Samartex as they sealed the three points.

Asante Kotoko will host defending champions, Medeama SC in the matchday 11 games at the Baba Yara Stadium this weekend.

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The pair were together at the club during the 2020/21 season where they worked tirelessly to win the Premier League title.

However, Narteh Ogum and Ocloo left the club after just a season at the Porcupine Warriors.

David Ocloo, however, worked as the assistant coach of Hearts of Oak in the 2022/23 Ghana football season but left the club on mutual grounds.

However, Narteh Ogum has returned to the club following the inauguration of the four-member Interim Management Committee (IMC) by the life patron of the club, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II following the dissolution of the board of directors and the management team.

Speaking at his official unveiling at the Baba Yara Stadium, Narteh Ogum confirmed David Ocloo as his first team assistant coach.

According to him, the former Liberty Professionals coach is competent and is able to question his decisions.

“He (David Ocloo) is very competent and very loyal. He is a high-level professional,” Ogum said.

“In choosing an assistant you have to choose a loyal person who you can trust.

“I need an assistant who can question all my decisions and Ocloo has it all and I like working with him,” he added.

Asante Kotoko are expected to begin pre-season on Tuesday, August 8 at Beposo ahead of the 2023/24 Ghana football season which gets underway in September later this year.

The Porcupine Warriors will begin their campaign with a home game against Heart of Lions at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Having finished at the 4th spot last season, Asante Kotoko will hope to improve their performance in the upcoming season.

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Ocloo joined the Phobians prior to the start of the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League after leaving Asante Kotoko.

The former Liberty Professionals gaffer was named as the interim coach following the departure of Slavko Matic midway through last season.

After a difficult season, the club has mutually announced the departure of the trainer.

A club’s statement reads, “Hearts of Oak and Coach David Ocloo have mutually parted ways. We wish him the best in his next endeavour.”

Ocloo guided Hearts of Oak to the 12th position last season, escaping relegation on the final day of the league season against Berekum Chelsea.

Before joining Hearts of Oak, David Ocloo was the assistant coach at Asante Kotoko during the tenure of head coach Dr Prosper Nartey Ogum.

He has previously had stints with the West African Football Academy (WAFA) and Inter Allies.

Hearts of Oak are yet to appoint a substantive head coach ahead of the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League.

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Ocloo has been tasked to steer the side until the end of the season after Slavko Matic was chased out of the club by the fans of the club.

Hearts of Oak’s woes were compounded on Sunday in the matchday 33 games with a  2-1 defeat against Real Tamale United.

The Rainbow Club has suffered five defeats in their last six games played. They sit 11^th on the pile with 45 points.

After the game, Ocloo attributed the club’s poor performance to the depleted squad.

“They [fans] are right to be furious and say whatever they want,” he told StarTimes after the game.

“But they shouldn’t forget that this is a depleted side I met so they should know how to talk.

“These are hard times and we can only beg them to support us more because that is the only thing that can help us come back.

“But they are right to say whatever they want,” he added.

Hearts of Oak will wrap up their campaign with an away game against Berekum Chelsea on Sunday at the Golden City Park.

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The woes of the Phobians were compounded after a 1-0 defeat to The Royals in the matchday 32 games at the El Wak Stadium.

Kofi Kordzi’s lone goal was enough as Maxwell Konadu’s side secured all three points to keep their chances of survival alive.

After the game, Ocloo admitted that the home side wanted the win more than his side, adding that his team lacked character.

“The truth be told, Legon Cities wanted it more than us, especially in the first half. They run more. They controlled the game well. It’s unfortunate,” Ocloo told StarTimes.

“In situations like this, you need character. And we don’t have that character today,” he added.

Hearts of Oak currently sit 8^th on the league standings with 45 points and they will host RTU at home for their next match.

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The Phobians hosted the Yellow and Mavue in the matchday 31 games at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

However, Hearts of Oak suffered their biggest defeat of the season after Medeama recorded a 5-1 win.

Speaking after the game, Ocloo says the result is embarrassing and added that their plan did not work.

“It is very embarrassing. We came up with a plan but nothing worked today for us. Congratulation to Medeama SC,” he told StarTimes after the game.

“They played very well. They were clinical. We gave them too much time and space on the ball and in football if you do that, you will be punished.”

He also admitted that their chances of winning the Ghana Premier League is over after the shocking defeat.

“Our chances of winning the Ghana Premier League are over,” he said.

Derrick Fordjour scored in the 16^th minute to give Medeama SC a well-deserved lead having controlled the affairs from the blast of the whistle.

Ibrahim Salifu converted from the spot on the half-hour mark to give Hearts of Oak a lifeline but Medeama SC struck again inside 34 minutes to restore their advantage.

Jonathan Sowah extended the lead for the visitors in the 42^nd minute as Medeama SC went into the break with a 3-1 lead.

The visitors grabbed another goal through Jonathan Sowah – his second of the game and fourth for Medeama SC in the 84^th minute.

The goal put the game beyond the reach of Hearts of Oak as the evergreen Akwasi Donsu put the icing on the cake in the 88^th minute to wrap things up for the Yellow and Mauve who moves to the top of the league log with 53 points – one point ahead of two-time champions Aduana FC who lost 3-0 to Accra Lions on Saturday.

Hearts of Oak now sit 7th o the league log with 45 points and will be hosted by Legon Cities in the matchday 32 games at the El Wak Stadium on Saturday.

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The Phobians suffered a devastating 1-5 defeat to Medeama Sporting Club on match-day 31 of the top flight at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday. 

A Jonathan Sowah brace and other goals from Vincent Atingah, Derrick Fordjour, as well as Kwasi Bonsu, handed Hearts their biggest loss of the 2022/23 season. 

The defeat leaves Hearts in the seventh position with eight points behind league leaders Medeama.

“Yeah, yeah, [our title charge] is over. We play now to get a respectable position,” Ocloo told StarTimes after the fixture.

Hearts could drop further down should Asante Kotoko pick up a win later on Monday in their game against Kotoku Royals. 

The Phobians will be hosted by Legon Cities in the matchday 32 games at El Wak Stadium on Saturday.

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Ocloo, who joined the club as an assistant coach, has been in charge of the club as interim boss following Slavko Matic’s exit.

The Serbian trainer, who replaced Samuel Boadu on a two-year deal, was chased out of training following a poor run of results.

And with few games to end the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League campaign. Ocloo, who is a former Asante Kotoko deputy coach and a former Liberty Professionals head coach, will be in charge of the club until the end of the season.

“For now, David Ocloo has been tasked to lead the team and he is the one that has to be supported by all to achieve the best result,” Opare told Accra-based MAX FM.

The Phobians after 30 games played sit 5th with 45 points.

Having suffered a 3-2 defeat against FC Samartex 1996 in the matchday 30 games, Hearts of Oak will hope to return to winning ways when they host second-placed Medeama SC at the Accra Sports Stadium in the matchday 31 games on Sunday with kick-off scheduled at 15:00GMT.

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The Phobians secured a point following their 0-0 drawn game against Dreams FC at the Theatre of Dreams FC on Saturday in the matchday 25 games.

Hearts of Oak failed to find the back of the net despite creating chances and dominating the game.

Speaking after the game, Ocloo said though they did not to win against the Still Believe lads, they are confident of winning the Premier League.

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“This was a game we finished very strongly. Towards the end, you could see that my players were giving their all and were very determined to win it, but unfortunately, we couldn’t score the needed goal,” Ocloo said.

“I still believe that we can win the Ghana Premier League,” he added.

Hearts of Oak sit 4th on the league log with 39 points and will host Nsoatreman FC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday in the matchday 26 games.

The Phobians, following their 3-0 defeat to Karela United returned to winning ways against their city rivals at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Congolese midfielder Linda Mtange scored in the 64 minutes to hand Hearts of Oak the three maximum points in the matchday 24 games.

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“I am very very satisfied,” Ocloo told StarTimes after the game.

“You could see they fought gallantly and I am so much proud of them and I will encourage them to keep it up, to keep it going this way,” he added

Hearts of Oak now sit 4th on the league log with 38 points, 4 points adrift of league leaders Aduana Stars and will travel to play Dreams FC at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu in the matchday 25 games this weekend.

The Phobians in the matchday 22 games hosted bottom-placed Kotoku Royals at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

With the game seeming to end goalless, defender Caleb Amankwah headed home the winner in the 90th minute as the Rainbow Club secured all three points to return to winning ways.

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Speaking after the hard-fought win, Ocloo expressed his delight and insisted the fans should expect more from the playing body.

“I want to affirm that the never say die spirit is back,” he said after the win.

“We have been consistent with our goal-scoring ability and people should expect more from us,” he added.

Hearts of Oak now sit 4th on the league log with 35 points and will travel to play Karela United at CAM Park in the matchday 23 games.

Hearts of Oak will host the return leg on 15th October, 2022 at the Accra Sports Stadium where they must win by a 4-goal margin to stand any chance of qualifying to the group stages of CAF’s second tier inter-club competition.

In the absence of a substantive head coach, Ocloo will be in charge of the game, having also taken charge of the first leg, only four days after he was announced assistant coach.

This is a no-match. I can confidently say we can turn this around. We played well. We created a lot of chances but not clinical. We are going to right the wrongs. They are beatable, he said.

Since winning the inaugural edition of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2004, Hearts of Oak have failed to qualify for the group stages, despite previously playing in the qualifying series in 2016 and 2021.

The 38-year-old will act as a stop-gap coach following the sacking of Samuel Boadu and his technical team after a poor start in the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League season’s campaign last weekend.

An official club statement released on Sunday reads that David Ocloo has been appointed as the new assistant coach of the club as part of the club’s restructuring exercise of its technical team.

However, he will be leading the one-time CAF Champions League title holders on interim basis until a substantive head coach is appointed.

David Ocloo will be assisted by Samuel Nii Noi with an immediate effect according to the club.

Ocloo worked with Prosper Narteeh Ogum last season where they annexed the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League title.

Below is the official club statement: