By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 28-07-11

Kotoko had a difficult time in the first round of the 2010/2011 season but the team managed to claw back into the top ranks of the Glo Premier League table and placed third at the end of what many described as a thrilling competition that saw Berekum Chelsea emerging as champions.

An FA Cup final berth by Kotoko however delighted most of the club’s followers particularly those who least expected the fabulous lads to do that well. The Porcupines unfortunately lost the MTN FA Cup title by a lone goal to division side, Nania FC at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra last Sunday and therefore ended the 2010/2011 season on quite a miserable note.

With the appointment of new Assistant Coach Maxwell Konadu to strengthen the technical team headed by Coach Bogdan Korak, coupled with the imminent recruitment of players into key positions, managers of Kumasi Asante Kotoko as well as the teeming fans are hopeful that the performance of the team in 2011/2012 season will be much better and exciting next season.

The team will re-assemble on August 3 to begin preparation for the Serbia tour which will see the Porcupine Warriors play a series of friendly matches against formidable sides in the European country, besides putting the players in the right shape, will additionally make them battle-ready for all assignments in the 2011/2012 season.

This is not the first time in recent times that Kumasi Asante Kotoko will be touring an European country as part of its off-season or pre-season programme.

It would be recalled that prior to the 2007/2008 season, the club toured countries like Nigeria, Sudan, Germany and Cote d’Ivoire and played more than 30 friendly matches both in and outside the country.

The successes chalked by the team when that season opened were phenomenal. Not only did the fabulous lads win the then Onetouch Premier League, they also emerged winners of the Ghalca Top 4 competition that season besides sweeping topmost awards at the Premier League Awards Night. Many are thus expectant of similar notable performances and achievements in the 2011/2012 season.

Meanwhile, the team has been given a 10-day break or rest period after going through what can easily be described as tough season, a season which witnessed 31 league matches, (the play-off against Medeama SC included) six MTN FA Cup matches, the President Cup match as well as many other trial matches played across the length and breadth of the country.