Kumasi Asante Kotoko will kick start their CAF Confederation Cup campaign against Kariobangi Sharks of Kenya on Saturday.
After almost seven months without competitive football in Ghana, many have questioned the readiness and the decision of Kotoko to represent Ghana in the competition.
But a lot has changed since as the club has seen several transformation.
A new management was put in place , a new coach hired and eleven new players recruited to beef up the squad.
Ahead of the game against Kariobangi Sharks this afternoon, Footballmadeinghana.com asked some Ghanaian football pundits for their opinion on the game.
” Overall I’ve been impressed by how they’ve prepared and the progress made under C.K. They have a good blend of youth and experience. The outlook of the team is better than I’ve seen in the last couple of seasons. I was skeptical about their ability to compete but I’ve to give them some chance albeit slightly. Can’t say how far they can go in the competition until I see the performance against Kariobangi but they’re looking good. The only thing that can go against them is the lack of domestic action. Over two legs against Kariobangi I expect Kotoko to go through” Ben Mensah Andoh a Sports journalist with multi Media .
Fiifi Anaman host of Sports Xtra on Kwese free Sports also shared his view
” Asante Kotoko go into this tie off the back of an intense (and we’ll publicized) period of preparation. Coach C.K Akunnor has had the opportunity to fully acquaint himself with his players and enough time to build chemistry and fitness. The support coming in from management too, even from the outside, has been impressive. All the signs say Kotoko should win this game but they need to proceed with caution and eschew complacency”
Editor for 442.com Tophic Abdul Kadir Sienu also had his say..
“Kariobangi Sharks have a good side but they are beatable. The squad is impregnated with youthfulness and experience. They have 5 players in the Kenya national team who are young but rich in experience. However, if Kotoko will play with a winning mentality and not approach the game to defend, they can have good results. Kotoko must defend well and be very efficient upfront. They must not be wasteful and must be vigilant in their defending. I’m however afraid for Kotoko because of the altitude. It will have a great effect on Kotoko. If they are able to handle these, Kariobangi will struggle to beat Kotoko”
Nathaniel , Writer for Ghana Premier League Live sound pessimistic on Kotoko’s chances.
“Kotoko don’t do well away from home. Unfortunately CK hasn’t played any competitive games so it’s always difficult..
I think in the confederation cup, they haven’t ever won an away game.
The altitude and humidity could work against them but they traveling early could help. I think they’d lose narrowly but can nick a draw if they don’t get tired. 2-0 loss”
Muftawu Nabila ( Kwese Sports) also gave his verdict on Asante kotoko chances.
“A return to Africa for the Porcupines for a second successive season.
Different management, different technical head, more new faces.
C.K Akunnor can count of the experience of his assistant Akakpo Patron whom I think will be instrumental in this fixture if Asante Kotoko is to get anything out of this game.
Their consistent failure in Africa in the last five consecutive attempts doesn’t speak well of who pride themselves Africa’s club of the century, but that story has been worsened by the current predicament of Ghana football.
One would say they’ve played several friendly matches and that should compensate for the lack of football in Ghana but friendlies can’t be compared to competitive games, especially a side that has won their last ten home matches.
A little bit of individual brilliance from Yacouba, Naby Keita, Maxwell Baako can offer a good result, but overall, they have a difficult task”.
By Abdul Wadudu Osman
