By: Bernard Nyankomago Yeboah

Date: 21-10-11

Rugged defender Henry Ohene Brenya says he feels great to lead Kotoko as an interim skipper in the on going 2011/12 Glo Premier League despite the huge expectation that always comes with wearing the Kotoko captain’s arm band.

“Kotoko is a big institution and to get the opportunity to captain the team is something I really appreciate as a footballer” said Ohene Brenya.

Ohene Brenya has been captaining Kotoko in the absence of Goalkeeper Isaac Amoako who sustained a minor injury in the off season trials. He was the skipper in both legs of the MTN Super Two contest between Kotoko and Hearts which ended 1-1 and 3-1 in favour of the Porcupine Warriors in Kumasi and Accra respectively.

He has also been captaining the team since the Glo Premier League started on October 9, 2011. He led Kotoko to play 1-1 with Tema Youth in the opening league match at Tema before leading the fabulous boys to cut Ashgold to size in their second game at the Baba Yara Stadium last Sunday.

Sharing his experience with the paper on Wednesday, the soft spoken central defender said it has not been easy for him leading the team. He explained that sometimes when the going gets tough, all eyes will be on him as a skipper to do something and bring victory.

“This huge expectation from the supporters always makes the job very difficult because if defeat comes the next person to be held responsible apart from the head coach is the captain” he stated.

Asked how he felt when he first captained Kotoko in their 1-1 draw with Hearts of Oak in the first leg of the MTN Super Two at the Baba Yara Stadium, Ohene Brenya said “I felt happy when I was told that I was going to lead the team into the battle. But I became tensed when we stormed the field for the warm up exercise and realized that the whole stadium was filled to its capacity.

“I prayed to God to give us the necessary strength to deliver because I did not want to disappoint the thousands of Kotoko supporters who thronged the stadium on the afternoon. Lo and behold we ended up sharing honours with Hearts”.

He was grateful that the second leg at the Ohene Djan Stadium turned out to be a massive victory for Kotoko.  He said the memorable 3-1defeat to the Phobians would forever remain a great day not only in the annals of Kotoko but in his football career as well.

Skipper Ohene Brenya and his colleagues began their campaign in the 2011/12 Glo Premier League with a 1-1 drawn game against Tema Youth at the Tema Park. But they lifted themselves above board and thrashed their regional rivals Ashgold 3-0 in their second game of the Glo Premiership last Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium. The goals were scored by Michael Akuffu (spot kick), Nathaniel Asamoah and Michael Anaba.

Asked what motivated them to put up such a spirited performance against Ashgold who interestingly drew goalless with Kotoko the last time they stormed the Baba Yara Stadium in the 27th week fixture of the 2010/11 Glo Premier League, the former Berekum Arsenal player said it was through hard work and determination.

“After the Tema Youth game we told ourselves that come what may, we have to beat Ashgold in order to keep our dream in the league alive. So we put the nightmarish experience we suffered at the hands of the referee behind and intensified our preparations.

“That hard work and preparations we went through paid off last Sunday. It was indeed a sweet victory for the players and our supporters”.

To him that resounding feat over Ashgold would serve as a morale booster for their quest to win the next two matches against Bechem United and Kpando Heart of Lions likewise any other match that will be played at the Baba Yara Stadium.

But in order not to be taken by events, he urged his colleagues as well as supporters of the club to cut short the celebration and stay focused since he believes it will require a strenuous effort to successfully execute the remaining matches..

On Sunday the Porcupine Warriors will engage Bechem United at the Baba Yara Stadium in match day three of the Glo Premier League. The new entrants from Bechem lost their first league match 2-3 to New Edubiase in Kumasi and also succumbed 0-1 to Ebusua Dwarfs last Sunday in Cape Coast.

 Even though some people think the game will be a “cool chop” for Kotoko looking at the unimpressive form of their opponents, Ohene Brenya insists there is the need for the entire Kotoko fraternity to avoid complacency and attach much importance to the game.

“It is always dangerous playing against a team you do not know much about. From all indications Bechem United will come strongly to make their presence felt in the league after losing two matches on a trot” he noted.

While he commended the supporters for the colourful way they have so far supported the team in the league, he urged them to troop to the Baba Yara Stadium in their numbers and cheer the team to victory once again like they did against Ashgold.