My cherished readers, I don't know how much ink I can pour into
an apology.
It has just been a crazy opening year for me in bread and butter
matters and I have not had time to sit and put any thoughts
together for probably the longest running column in the Kotoko
express.
I hope you will forgive me and thanks to those of you who catch
me on facebook to keep encouraging me and goading me on. I
usually have a Wednesday night deadline that I have to deliver
my article to the editor. In the last few weeks, Wednesdays have
been kind of crazy for me where I work deep into the night and
so I am not composed enough to write anything worth reading for
you.
These have been difficult times for me and it has been very
painful anytime I have not been able to write. Indeed last week,
I did write something.
It was not quality but I still sent it through anyway only for
Mr. editor to call me in the morning of Thursday to say they had
not received it. I was not at my desk then and so it was not
possible to resend but that is technology for you.
I would like to use this medium to apologize to my editor for
all these mishaps and no shows. I know how important it is to
have a full page not filled up when it is virtually guaranteed.
Anyway, enough of my bickering and self pity and time to go to
the crux of the matter today. I just need to make it emphatic
that my commitment to Kotoko is unquestionable.
In the last few weeks too that I have not been writing, I have
not been able to follow events in Ghana soccer that much but a
lot has happened while I have been away.
Ghana's demotion at CAF by giving us only one slot for the CAF
champion's league was confirmed when our league champions failed
to make any impact in their debut at the tournament.
This season, I am predicting the Berekum Chelsea or is it Bechem
Chelsea will lift the league title but considering what Ghana
showed at the CHAN and the seeming lack of maturity on the part
of the supposed best players in the Ghana premier league, I have
my doubts that they will make an impact either when the time
comes.
Therefore, in my opinion, it is time for Kotoko to take their
rightful place in Ghana soccer! we need to end this season in
second place at the worst and get into Africa for the experience
so that when we win the league title it would not be completely
new terrain for the boys.
Our current team has no African experience at all and playing
against Africa Sports, it showed as well how naive we can be and
how far away we are from being among the best in Africa.
I think TP Mazembe, who are now the model team in Africa will
white wash us in a CAF champion's league game which shows that
we need to really work hard.
We have lost the aura around us in those days when we used to
send fear and panic down the spines of African clubs.
Well with the break in the league, Korak has had a lot of time
to work with the boys and teach them something which should
improve the team.
I heard about the rancor that happened after a match between
him, a player and some of his back room staff. Well it is not
acceptable and the thinking that because he is not Ghanaian we
should understand does not wash with me either.
Rules are rules and everybody must adhere to them and we need to
keep some level of discipline but a coach must also know that
his players have to come out to play for him.
Mourhino is a disciplinarian but his boys always come out to
play for him. Same goes for our own Jones who always had his
team playing for him while at the same time he maintains a lot
of discipline so I hope Korak manages to get the balance right.
We then resumed the league with a draw against Edubease in
Bekwai and I was getting the sense that fans were satisfied with
the result, but I was not.
If we are to make ground and come second in the league, these
are games we must win. and we also need to ensure that we win
every league match that will come our way.
On Sunday, I will be in Kumasi and will stay on to watch us play
defending champions Aduana. It is a must win game if you ask me
and I will not accept any other result as good enough.
Korak has had enough time and the Kumasi Stadium must regain its
fast track status. Picking draws against teams like Edubease is
not good enough and I notice that Alex Asamoah is regaining his
position in the team while Nat Asamoah whom we have spent a
fortune on does not seem to be delivering just yet.
So after Aduana, we come to Accra for Ghana's el classico and as
for this one, we must beat Hearts convincingly to further move
up the table.
From then on there will be about 7 games to end the league and
with the way the table is so close, winning 5 of them and
drawing the remaining ones could be enough to take us up to
second but bearing in mind that we will have some crucial games
against Faisal and Medeama.
Of course I cannot end this article today without commenting on
the football lesson Liverpool gave to Man United. My friends Esi
and Paul have not even called to congratulate me but I am aware
POT and Saforo are very happy men.
Liverpool, like Kotoko are struggling to regain their invincible
status in the premiership but last Sunday's display is clear
indication that we are on track and can become the force we have
been in a couple of year.
I remain your true red fabulous aficionado. Kotoko Beku Me.
