Kotoko’s Guinean striker Naby Keita decided not to take any penalty against Hearts of Oak after missing his kick against ES Setif in the CAF Confederation Cup, deputy coach Johnson Smith has revealed.

In a 0-0 stalemate with their bitterest rivals, the Porcupine Warriors were awarded a penalty after Nuru Sulley brought down Kwame Poku in the box just two minutes into the game.

With massive expectations that Keita, who has been the first choice for Kotoko in spot kicks, will be going for the kick, Kwame Poku did and misfired.

Many Kotoko fans were livid after the game, blaming the coach for not allowing Keita to go for the kick.

But smith in his post-match interview has explained that it was the choice of the player to take a leave.

“For a penalty kicker we say this guy is good. The guy who took the penalty last time is the same person who always take our penalty but what happened is that, because he missed the other time, he decided to leave it to Kwame Poku,” Smith said.

“For us, we told them that any person who is confident of scoring should take the ball. In our team, Keita is the penalty taker,” he added.

The draw leaves Kotoko in the 6th position with 24 points whereas Hearts of Oak occupy 5th position with 24 points.