Asante Kotoko chief Executive Nana Yaw Amponsah has reacted to the club's pre-season defeat to United Arabe Emirates third-tier club Al Hilal United.
A second-half own goal from right-back Christopher Nettey condemned Kotoko to a 1-0 loss in Dubai, where they are training for the new season.
The Reds started the game brightly and nearly took the lead after Patrick Asmah's cross failed to get the needed connection from new forward Clinton Opoku.
Brazilian playmaker Fabio Gama then displayed quality, after a deadly combination between him and Dickson Afoakwa found Joseph Adomako, but the forward's effort went wide.
After the break, it was all Al Hilal and the pressure paid off, forcing Christopher Nettey to score at the wrong side.
Coach Prosper Ogum gave his new players the opportunity to make their friendly debut with Richmond Lamptey, Clinton Opoku, Dickson Afoakwa and Joseph Adomako all starting.
Speaking after the game, Amponsah said: "It was a good game in the first place, some of the players arrived late but if you look at how we played, it was a good exercise for the team and the technical team”
"In the second half, we played well and dominated the game but only capitalized on the chance they had but in all, we are happy with this exercise but I am confident we will get better before the season start," he added.
The Kumasi-based club will play another friendly before returning home ahead of the start of the 2021/22 campaign.