By: David Kyei

Date: 07-10-11

Fabulous Asante Kotoko begins her 2011/12 premier league campaign on Sunday and per checks and information available to this paper, six players would be making their first ever Ghana Premier League appearance.

The reaction of the players to the chance of getting to play in the elite division of the country has been mixed and Kotoko Express brings these reactions for your reading pleasure.

Baba Abdul-Rahman (from Dreams FC, Division 2): I feel happy and great that I have been offered this opportunity to play in the Ghanaian Premier League. It has been a long cherished dream and I thank Allah that this has happened not with any ordinary club but with the most prestigious club of Ghana.

I must admit that the platform Kotoko is giving me for the premier league is a big one, but it does not frighten me because I have had the chance to play with my colleagues since I joined the team and I know what to expect. Besides, my coaches have given me the confidence to walk boldly to the pitch and deliver.

My expectation of the fans is for them to come to our matches in their numbers to give us the needed support whilst we the players also promise to make them happy.

Razik Mohamed (From Feyenoord Academy, Division 2): The idea of getting to play in the premier league is an exciting one for me because it tells me that I have indeed graduated and progressed in my career.

I am not under any pressure, but rather, I feel normal in terms of what premiership football is because football is football everywhere. Thanks to Feyenoord, I have travelled across Europe to play in competitions and so I have the exposure to draw from. All that one has to do is to be strong and have the determination and confidence and the premier division will come in cool.

When you compare division two football with that of division one, there is a vast gap between them and so I am going to put up my best so as to pave the way for other young players in the system to blossom in other clubs.

Kotoko commands a large following as such I expect to see them more at our matches to serve as a twelfth player for us. We the players are going to rely so much on their support and when they come in their numbers, it will become easier in matches.

Augustine Okrah (From Red Bull Academy, Division 1): I started my career as a small boy and has successfully made the transition from division one player to a Premiership material.

I have had the chance to play in two Kotoko-Hearts matches already and so all the apprehension I may have had in the past have all disappeared and it is my prayer that I make it into the first team and also have a good game when selected.

My humble appeal to the fans of Kotoko is for them to be patient with us because it is our intention and determination as players of Kotoko to churn out our best at all times to make our fans happy. We are determined to make a big impact in the league and it will take the total contribution of all stakeholders to achieve that.

Michael Mensah (From C.F.C FC, Division 2): I am happy and pleased with Kotoko for the opportunity offered me to first contribute to the general good of the club and secondly to display my talent.

I am confident that Kotoko will do well this season and beyond and I am determined to train and play hard and according to instructions to be able to get a place in the history Kotoko is poised to make this season.

In that regard, I am determined as a striker to score more goals and also create as many as comes my way for my colleagues to bang in. Kotoko of today is different from the Kotoko of the recent past.

My desire has always been to be with a winning team and since Kotoko is poised to win the league, I can only work hard so that I become a member of the team at all times.

I therefore take this opportunity to extend an invitation to the supporters of Kotoko to go to the stadium in numbers to support the team victory as we all so desire.

Felix Annan (From Feyenoord Academy, Division 2): I just cant wait for the opportunity to play in the premier league, I really thank God and Kotoko for this huge opportunity. I am really ready for the challenge and my confidence is so high and upbeat.

I have the ambition of being the youngest goalkeeper for the Black Stars and the road to that target starts on Sunday.

I therefore call on all supporters to give us their full support as we the players are determined to make them happy this season and beyond.

I also ask of the fans to be patient with us when the going gets tough because much as we have prepared so well for the season, other clubs will also try to be stubborn. Yes they will but at the end of the day, Kotoko will prevail for us all to be happy.

Sacko Idrissa: I am very happy to be achieving a long cherished dream of playing in the Ghanaian league. Kotoko is a big institution that is offering me this stage and so I can only be happy and commit myself to making it big for the team and myself.

Judging from the matches that have so far been played, the fans expect a lot from the team and so we are going to work harder for Kotoko and her fans.