Ghana's only rep in Africa Inter-Club competition, Kumasi Asante Kotoko prior to kickoff of the Caf Confederation Cup second leg energized the supporters at the stadium with a 30-minute warm-up exercise as per the rules of the game.
Supporters, who have been hungry for football for a far too long troop to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to offer their heart warm support to the Porcupine Warriors in the Confederation Cup competition.
Following the belief that fans play a major role in a team's win, the crowd was massive despite the stadium wasn't full to capacity. One could record the enthusiasts' readiness to watch coach Charles Kwablan Akunnor's side reach the group phase of the competition which meant a lot to the club, the numerous fan base, the media fraternity and the country at large.
As the clock ticked by for the start of the game, the match dubbed 'do-or-die clash' got underway with Fabricio Duarte whistle. Yet fans were crowded outside the stadium ready to patronize and have the feel of the historic match.
The Ghana Premier League holders (24) started the tough game with intentions all clear to beat Coton Sports of Gauroa to secure a slot in the group stage as it all manifested in the first quarter of the game, having playmaker Songne Yacouba, left winger Emmanuel Gyamfi and Maxwell Baako, right winger operating to the latter which all witnessed to be individual brilliance without tactical play.The first half of the game elapsed at the Stadium with the warriors leading 1-0, courtesy of Captain Amos Frimpong spot kick.
Here are some observations from the match:
Lack of cohesiveness in the team
Most Sports pundits, facts, statistics, records of football can distinguish between coach C.K Akunnor''s side style and approach of play with previous coaches of the club like coach Didi Dramani, David Duncan, Maxwell Konadu and the many others
Though the desire for result and success in C.K Akunnor's team is always distinct even before kickoffs, however, that was not what the fans needed. Aside the win, team play, cohesion, communication and most importantly been clinical upfront were lacking.
"We shouldn't tickle ourselves and laugh because we won today, Kotoko played beautiful football and sense of maturity especially Kwame Konte but we have to work for the goals to come more", a frustrated Kotokofan said after the game.
The Porcupine Warriors won 2-1 to make it to the money zone of the Caf Confederation after so many years of failing to make an impact. They were knocked out in the preliminary stage by Cara Brazzaville through penalties after recording 1-0 at home and losing the same score away in the last time they featured in the competition.
Lack of composure in front of goal
The Reds could have bagged not less than five goals against the Cameroonian champion but the lack of composure and clinical finish upfront ensured Kotoko scored only two goals. Forgetting the rules regarding goals in the group stage of the aforementioned competition. Akunnor's players were woeful in both halves admitting that's not how he wants the team to play.
"Defensively the goal we conceded was not too good, so we have to work on it and the individual mistakes we do" Of course, moving forward we have to do more in the way of attacking, we lost too many area balls," he said
Is that how you want Kotoko SC to play? A journalist post the question to the trainer. "We keep on improving if we had played 2-0 without conceding it will be perfect. In our previous games, we couldn't possess the ball much and talking about that area thus midfield, we will keep on improving", he added.
Admitting that so many blenders are in the team and needs to be corrected on the training pitch. The equaliser from Bassa was an unpardonable error which shouldn't have happened as the 44-year trainer believes that Kotoko should not lose concentration until it's all over. The set in of 'complacency' in the team after hour and ten minutes of the game exposed that.
Supporters play their part in the win
The die-hard Fabulous fans played an important role in the game not underrating the media personnels despite getting stranded at the gate with an issue of accreditation. How on earth, can one apply for accreditation with media house name attached to his name be covered with sheets of an exercise book and sold as cheap as GH¢10.00.Informing media personnel's who had their accreditation sold to buy a ticket of GH¢ 20.00 with media identification Card showed before entry. One might say, this shouldn't take away the joy from Asante Kotoko but going forward better steps can be put in place. Five accreditation going into the name of only one journalist? This is pathetic.
Story by Kolog Bonaventure