By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 22-09-11

In most of Kotoko Express’ 2011/2012 pre-season reports, the focus has been on the training sessions of the new players and how they are fitting well into the team. Not much has been said on the activities of other essential members of the team, in this case, the goalkeepers.

Thus when the paper turned its attention on how the five goalkeepers of the team have been gearing up for the season, it learnt that a lot is happening in the goalkeeping department with trainer, Joseph Carr firmly managing affairs. Currently five goalkeepers – Isaac Amoako, Soulama Abdoulaye, Seidu Mutawakriu, Seidu Rashid and new recruit, Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi train under the careful watch of Joseph Carr.

Just like their other colleagues the goalies report for training on time and strictly follow their schedule as design by their trainer or the technical team. Until this week, only four goalkeepers – Amoako, Soulama, Mutawakriu and Rashid were seen at the Adako Jachie training field. But new entrant Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi showed up to strengthen the competition for the number one position in Kotoko’s post.

Observing events at close range, there is no shrewd of doubt that the five goalies are in good physical condition. Relying on superficial looks, one may easily conclude that Amoako and Soulama with their vast experience remain Kotoko’s safest pair of hands and that the duo could man Kotoko’s post throughout the upcoming season.

However, considering the conduct and delightful saves of the three remaining goalies during training sessions added to the deep insight trainer, Joe Carr offered deciding who will be the club’s number one goalie will not be that simple. The goalkeepers’ trainer told Kotoko Express on Wednesday after training session, that his boys are all in sound mind for the arduous task ahead of them in the 2011/2012 season.

Why sound mind was the first issue he raised was not surprising. Carr explained that a goalkeeper need not be disturbed psychologically if he is to perform well on any occasion. Good judgment, anticipation, reacting to sticky situations fast and determining when and how to react in dangerous goal situations demand that a goalie thinks and decides within a split second.

“That is not easy” said Joe Car adding, “So if goalkeepers are troubled psychologically the results will be disastrous. Happily, our goalkeepers are in good psychological state. We must get them fully ready” he continued. Getting them fully ready gave a hint that the goalies might not be well-prepared for the start of the season with nearly three weeks for the league take-off.

Joe Carr explained further. “We were at the stadium for the physicals. We have come here (Adako Jachie) for the techniques – movements in the post and concentration. At this stage, we need friendly matches to see their standard” said the trainer who was confident that his boys would live up to the billing during the season. Detail stories on the five goalkeepers will be published in subsequent editions.