Kumasi Asante Kotoko collapsed dramatically on their own turf as they lost 2-1 to Medeama SC after taking the lead in the game.

Portuguese coach Mariano Barreto says he is sad  his side lost more especially after they took the lead very early in the first half.

But has blamed the defeat on mistakes from his players but believes they will bounce back stronger in their subsequent matches.

One of the two players introduced combined beautifully to set up captain Emmanuel Gyamfi to head home the opener on the 13th minute of the game.

Medeama then pressed on for the equalizer as they ceased control of the game with Prince Opoku Agyemang and Ibrahim Yaro going close.

The goal finally arrived in the 30th minute when Prince Opoku Agyemang tacked home a loose ball in the penalty box to make it 1-1.

Late in the second half, Richard Boadu's shot deflected off a defender to give Medeama a 2-1 lead going into the break.

“We started the game very well by scoring an early opener but I don't know why my players started making mistakes,” he said.

"I was expecting them to control the game but I don’t know what happened on the pitch.

“We have to learn from these mistakes. We have some experienced players and we have to work hard and return back stronger in our next game,” he stressed.

Asked whether his decision on the early substitutions failed him, he said, "I thought that was the best for the team," he said.

"I know we missed some players but I believe these are group of players that are capable of playing against any side.

“I am sad we lost but I know we will return stronger in our next game,” he added.

The defeat leave Asante Kotoko second on the league log with 35 points. Kotoko will be hosted by Legon Cities in the matchday 22 games at the Accra Sports Stadium.