Young Apostles management member, Mr Evans Osei, has dismissed claims made by Aduana FC Chief Executive Officer, Collins Atta Poku that he was heckled and removed from the Wenchi Sports Arena during their Ghana Premier League Matchday Six encounter, insisting the visiting club official entered the stadium before leaving on his own accord.
Mr Osei maintained that the incident has been misrepresented, arguing that Atta Poku was neither forced out of the venue nor prevented from watching the match. He also questioned why the Aduana CEO did not take up the matter with the police officers present if he genuinely felt threatened.
The controversy emerged after Young Apostles secured a 1-0 victory over Aduana FC in Wenchi on Sunday, ending a difficult run of results to collect their second win of the campaign. However, discussions surrounding the encounter have largely shifted from the result to allegations made by the Aduana CEO about his experience at the stadium.
Pictures and videos circulating on social media showed Atta Poku watching the match from an area outside the stadium, prompting questions about the circumstances surrounding his presence there.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Vaultz News, the management member rejected the allegation that Young Apostles had prevented the Aduana official from accessing the stadium, insisting that he personally witnessed his arrival and movements inside the facility.
“It’s entirely false. Atta entered the stadium in front of me. He drove in front of me. There were three cars that entered the stadium, one from Young Apostles, Atta and myself.”
Evans Osei, Management Member, Young Apostles
He added that the Aduana CEO initially moved around the stadium before leaving and subsequently returning during the second half.
Osei Explains Atta Poku’s Movements
According to Mr. Osei, Atta Poku returned around the 60th minute and attempted to access the VIP section through an entrance that had been blocked. He acknowledged that the entrance was inaccessible but insisted that an alternative route had been provided.
“He was trying to access the VIP through a place that was blocked. He himself has said that already today. He said, yes, we have blocked that entry. So he was told to use the other entry.”
Evans Osei, Management Member, Young Apostles FC
The Young Apostles official further claimed that police commanders sent word downstairs to Atta Poku and encouraged him to join the other officials in the VIP section.
However, Osei alleged that the Aduana CEO declined the invitation and remained where he was before eventually leaving the stadium. “The police commanders came down, the district commander, the head team commander, they all came down to talk to Atta to come up to the VIP but he insisted he’s comfortable where he is and never came,” he clarified.
Mr Osei also questioned the suggestion that Atta Poku had been forced out of the stadium, arguing that the available images did not establish that he had been chased away.
He maintained that no video had emerged showing the Aduana CEO being removed from the facility, insisting that the photographs circulating online did not tell the complete story of the incident.
Furthermore, Osei challenged the claim that the official had faced threats to his life, arguing that such concerns should have been reported to the police officers present or communicated to the home team’s management.
Young Apostles Concerned About Reputation
Beyond disputing the allegations, Mr Evans Osei expressed concern about the potential damage to the reputation of Young Apostles and the town of Wenchi.
He stressed that the club had maintained a positive record regarding security during its previous two seasons in the Ghana Premier League and feared that the controversy could undermine that reputation.
Apart from the potentially tarnished reputation, the relationship shared by the people of Wenchi and Dormaa was something Apostles aren’t ready to take for granted. “We cherish the relationship we have with Dormaa so I can’t allow him to destabilise the relationship that the two towns have,” Osei remarked.
He explained that Young Apostles had regularly used Dormaa, the home base of Aduana FC, as an alternative venue for their home matches when they could not play in Wenchi.
Consequently, he described the controversy as particularly disappointing, given the relationship between the two clubs and their communities.
Osei also criticised media coverage of the incident, arguing that some outlets had discussed the allegations without seeking the club’s account. “The most threatening is not all of them come to ask for our side of the story,” he complained, adding that the attention surrounding Atta Poku had overshadowed the players’ performance and the result they achieved on Sunday.
He insisted that Young Apostles had no dispute with Aduana FC and expressed a willingness to resolve any concerns through dialogue rather than allowing the matter to escalate.
“We don’t have any issue with Aduana Football Club. We are family. We are one people. We are Bono people. If there is something, the two clubs should collaborate and resolve whatever it is.”
Mr Evans Osei
Victory Provides Relief Ahead of Kotoko Test
Meanwhile, Mr. Osei described the victory over Aduana FC as an important result for Young Apostles after a difficult start to the season.
The club had struggled to collect points from its opening fixtures, and the win offered a timely boost as they continued their battle to move away from the relegation zone.
He remarked that the players were determined to respond positively after a disappointing run and believed the result demonstrated their ability to compete despite their early-season difficulties.
He also pointed to the club’s previous home record against Aduana FC, claiming the visitors had not beaten Young Apostles in Wenchi before the encounter.
The management member acknowledged that the result was particularly significant because another defeat would have left the club with only three points after six matches.
Instead, the victory took their tally to six points, although Mr. Evans Osei admitted that the team remained in the relegation zone.
Looking ahead, Young Apostles must now turn their attention to their next assignment against Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, with the team official acknowledging that the controversy surrounding the Aduana encounter could become a distraction.
He nevertheless expressed confidence that the players would remain focused, adding that management was working to ensure the incident did not affect their preparation.
Mr. Osei concluded by urging stakeholders to learn from the episode and ensure that visiting officials, players and supporters feel safe at the Wenchi Sports Arena.
While Young Apostles have firmly rejected the allegations, the circumstances surrounding Atta Poku’s experience at the venue remain contested, with Osei’s account representing the home club’s position on the incident.
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