Stephen Oduro thanks the technical team for their confidence in him

For showing faith with him and giving him the chance to be part of the team that punctured the bloated egos of braggarts Aduana FC, mercurial Stephen Oduro says he is forever grateful to the coaches and fans.

Stephen Oduro came into the match as a substitute in the second half and not only did he stabilize the Kotoko midfield that had lacked creativity for a while, but also put the final nail in the coffin of Aduana FC with a sweet goal that really killed the game and hopes of Aduana.

As the team prepared for the match, emphasis was on goals and properly organized defence and so the players were expected to show that character in the match. However, Oduro says their determination was pushed beyond a mere win.

“We knew we will beat Aduana but our determination as a team was also to make them have a defeat that will send them thinking for a long time”.

“Aduana had had their way in Dormaa where they employed all sorts of intimidations and bad tactics to win so there was the need for us to show them that on a level kiln and no intimidation, we were the better side”.

Though self motivation keeps him going, Oduro says he feels more empowered and pumped for action under a certain condition.

“The fans have become my inspiration and motivation. They are the more reason why I am able to do most of the things that I do”.

“Their push and cheering gives me the strength and energy to do things that I would not be able to do under normal conditions. I love them and will go all out to do what they love to see me do for them”.

Coming into the match at the time when Kotoko was already leading would have pushed any other player to switch into a complacency mood, but not the darling boy of Kotoko fans.

“In such matches that have all at stake in terms of pride and points, no score line would be too for me. We needed to score as many as we could get and so there was no way I was going to play lose. My task as assigned by the coach was to stabilize the midfield and get the passes going through”.

“However, I had an eye on pulling a surprise when I could and I am happy that we won big and I scored as well”.

He paid glowing tribute to the Executive Chairman, Dr. K.K. Sarpong for his wonderful inspiration before the match.

“Dr. Sarpong came to our camp in the morning of the match and his encouraging words charged us up so much that I am not surprised that we played the way we did”.

“We thank God for his life and pray that God grant him more wisdom to lead us to greater heights”.

With Aduana done with, what could be the way forward for Oduro and his colleagues?

“Our mission in the league is simple and clearly defined. We are to win all our remaining matches and so we take one match at a time and that means Hearts of Oak are next in line”.

Not a new customer to Kotoko-Hearts duels, Oduro says he is going to get into his elements and inspire his colleagues to go to Accra and win big for Kotoko.

“Such matches come along with its temperament and tension and so I would be sharing my experiences with my colleagues, especially the new players so that they get into the right frame of mind for action”.

Though he refused to predict the score line, his assertion that “we are in no mood to lose” gives a clear pointer that nothing but victory is expected.