Ghanaian giants and lone representative in the 2018/2019 CAF interclub competition,Asante Kotoko of Kumasi will face Cotonsport of Garoua at the military stadium in Yaounde on the 13th of January.The counts for the first leg of the last qualifying round before the group stage of the 2018/2019 CAF Confederations cup.
Stretching back to Sunday 5th of January 2018,things haven’t been as smooth for the club as they will have loved it to be.
The club’s first “internal fracture” was exposed in a testimonial game at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday, when on the field of play,forward,Songne Yacouba had bitter exchanges with his teammate, Maxwell Baako over who should take a set piece and it only took the intervention of coach C.K Akonnor to get the right set piece taker.
The game ended in a 1 all draw but more followed;
Current Ghana International keeper,Felix Annan who was an unused substitute in the game clashed with Songne Yacouba over the same issue plus Yacouba’s reaction towards the coach before the players boarded the team bus.The head coach later sorted the issue and assured followers of the club the Yacouba will start up front against Cotonsport in Yaounde.
During the post match presser,Coach C.K went on the offensive with Ghanian journalist, whose name kick442.com got as Bismarck Kelly Koomson.
The coach apologized a day later though cautioning journalists to pick their words better next time.
On Tuesday,the team’s training was guarded by police officers after a popular supporter whose name we got as Seidu threatened to storm the club’s training and force the coach off his duty.
“CK Akonnor downgraded Asante Kotoko by claiming Ashgold midfield was better than that of Kotoko (in the JAK) cup, if so then why was he brought on board? I will storm the training grounds to drive him away soon, just and see”.Seidu told Nkomode FM.
On Wednesday morning,reports emerged from Ash FM-Kumasi that Kotoko policy Analyst,Amo Sarpong is on record to have said, the club has reported Seidu to the central police station for threatening to go to the training ground and send away coach CK Akunnor.”We want him to sign a bond and moreover not to get closer to the team”;Amo added.
Another twist of the tale is on the club’s trip to Cameroon;
Reports on Sportsnewgh.com suggested that, a source revealed to Kumasi based radio station Ashh FM that the porcupine warriors who have plans on traveling to Cameroon on Sunday have difficulties to make the trip to Cameroon via the club’s Chairman, Dr.Kwame Kyei’s Unity Airlines, because the Airlines is having difficulties in obtaining International clearance certificate to airlift to Cameroon.
Asante Kotoko sources had earlier confirmed the club will travel on a Chartered flight via Unity Airlines.
Kotoko take on Cotonsport of Garoua at the same military stadium they lost the 1971 CAF Cup final to Canon,before welcoming Cotonsport to Kumasi a week later for the reverse fixture.
Kotoko is a great club in the continent and this challenges are not above the club to handle and travel to give Cotonsport a run for their money.
ANGU LESLEY
