Barely 48 hours after Kumasi Asante Kotoko recorded a narrow 2-1 win over Zambia’s Zesco United, Kotoko’s gaffer,has told made some interesting revelations to Kumasi based radio,Angel FM as the Ghanaian Giants look to build on their first success in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Top performers on Wednesday;Felix Annan his first choice Goalkeeper and forward,Songne Yacouba have a special plan for them;
“There will be special training for Stopper Felix Annan and Striker Sogne Yacouba prior to our trip in Zambia ,Kitwe. The reason behind is suppose to be confidential but it has got to do with Felix not able to keep cleanshet and Yacouba’s inability to score goals in this competition .
“Sogne Yacouba as a player had his best game for Kotoko last Wednesday when we battled Zesco United at home in Kumasi. Myself as a coach ,playing body ,technical team and the supporters can testify to that. This game has been his best so far , performance ,discipline etc” : Coach C.K Akunnor said.
Yacouba was substituted in the last quarter of the game;
“Frankly speaking ,our chances of scoring again after the two goals against Zesco was minor ,we kept wasting chances so i decided to take off Yacouba and strenghtern the midfield to see more of the ball and posses in the last 15 minutes of the game”.
“It was tactical change and it worked into perfection for myself and the team. Not because Yaouba was tired.” Coach Akunnor told Angel FM
Speaking about the supporters the former Black Stars player now coach was couldn’t hide his delight;
“They should keep supporting the team ,in fact they have no idea the value they give to us the field of play ,This is our home BABA YARA and no team can come here and steal from us,we have to stick to that.”
“During Zesco United game last wednesday ,it took myself and captain to appeal to them by showing signs of support and encouragement with just about 5 minutes to end proceedings. that alone did a lot of magic for us and it helped us end the game on high spirit and confidence ,We need more from them on our next home game. sing and cheer the team till 90 minutes is over”
Speaking about his team’s performance so far;
“I will say it has been the best , No league going on and to get to this level and perform such is amazing and unbelievable . My humble appeal to the supporters is to critice positive and not negative to dump the spirit of the boys.”
“The energy Asante Kotoko used in scoring the two goals brought a bit of weakness and tiredness on them and i can also agree with you on match fitness that is true but as you can see there is no league competition going on”
“Is unfortunate we are not having full house ahead of Nkana game , we will be missing the service of Richard Senanu , he may not be travelling with us to Zambia”.
“The mentality,approach and target to Zambia to face Nkana is Win or Draw to avoid defeat that is what we have begin working on right after Zesco United game . We have been monitoring and watching their games to study their weakness is something we have done long and still working on it”.
Kotoko’s are currently in their first group Stage CAF Confederation Cup campaign after 10 years of absence from that level of the competition.
The club is found in a very tight group of clubs with 3 points each after 2 games played so far.
Asante Kotoko face Nkana in their next outing while Zesco United face Al Hilal.
Isaac Ofori, Kumasi.
