Wa match was a good exercise- Paa Kwesi Fabin

By David Kyei, Wa

13:36 GMT, 09-02-2010

Despite not being able to lead his charges to amass the three maximum points in last Sunday’s 17^th week Glo premier league, Paa Kwesi Fabin says the match was a good exercise for him and his team and that he happy with it.

According to Ghana’s reigning best coach, the conditions that played out at the Wa match bore semblances of the things they have to look forward to in their upcoming match in Senegal come next weekend.

“Three important characteristics of our champions’ league match to be played in Senegal on Saturday played out here and i am happy that my players stood to the test with flying colours”.

“First was the harsh weather condition, and since Senegal is situated even closer to the Sahara Desert, I expect an even harsher weather. If anything, the weather in Wa just sent a signal to the players who will be making Wednesday’s trip to even look out for the worst”.

“Secondly, officiating was not the best and this tells us that we should not bank too much hope on referees when playing away. The fact that three advantages were given to All Stars and my players were alert to scuttle the move was an assurance that they clearly understood what I told them before the match”.

“Lastly, we played a compact and determined game. Even though my midfield did not click as expected, I now have other ideas that I will put into play during the match”.

Though he says he has basically nothing in terms of information on his opponents, it is normal for coaches to go into matches with such handicap.

However, he reiterated his earlier stated information that he was going to go all out in Saturday’s match to ensure that his team attacked much in the same way that they defend.

“We would take that posture because we are determined to take our chances as a club. Whatever the outcome of the match would be much surely play in our favour”.

Describing the performance put up Wa as a beacon of hope for his team, he hinted that he would make some strategic changes in the team before the they fly out on Wednesday for Senegal.

“From what I saw on Sunday, I will strengthen the midfield and introduce robust play into our system. With that, they would be able to hold their own when attack, and be ruthless when on attack,” he said.

With his midfield not finding their rhythm last Sunday, Wa All Stars had a field day playing long balls over the comparatively shorter Kotoko midfielders.

“I noticed that as well and will find an antidote for it in Saturday’s match”.

Not he alone made that observation about his midfield, but Maxwell Konadu, the coach of All Stars also did and graciously shared his thoughts with Kotoko Express: “The gap between the midfield and the attack was too wide and this made things difficult fir Baffour Gyan to be effective. It has become clear that his finishing is not up to the old level and so the midfielders should rather use him as a decoy by running fast into space when he is on the ball”.

“With that, he would be given options to try and am sure Kotoko will be the better for it when it happens that way”.

Kotoko travels to Senegal on Wednesday night to play the first leg of the 1/16^th stage of the 2010 CAF/Orange Champions’ league. The match is scheduled for the evening of coming Saturday.