By: Kojo Addae-Mensah

Date: 03-11-11

The draw of the CAN 2012 was done last weekend where Equatorial Guinea proved that inspite of the scepticism they will be ready to host the continent come January.

I wonder why hosting countries continuously have this issue about whether they are ready to host the cup of nations or not. Even Egypt has it the last time they hosted which surprised me.

Probably CAN201 13 that has been shifted to South Africa is going to be an exception where I believe they are ready today. It will be great to go to South Africa again to witness another festival.  

Anyway that is for next year but right now we have Equatorial Guinea and Gabon on our
hands.

I have heard some people say that our group is the group of death and of course I totally disagree. Unless people just name group 'd' as group of death but Ghana,  Guinea, Mali and Botswana in a cup of nations does not sound to me like a group of death. I know when we are playing West African sides, the game is difficult and of course the power house of African soccer for me is in the west.

We may not be champions but we always have a solid representation in the top 10 nations in Africa and that no doubt tells me that West Africa is the power engine of African soccer.

This time round, giants like Nigeria, Cameroon and South Africa will not be at the tournament and as a result people are saying that this is Ghana's time and we should be bale to lift the trophy.

I beg to differ. Maybe it is the absence of Egypt that will give us the greatest boost but guys for me, Senegal will be the dark horses in the cup of nations this year.

Have you seen them play? Good Lord they are good and they sliced through their qualifiers with such cheeky ease, they are very dangerous.  Demba Ba, Cisse, Sow, Dioup.

Those guys have an attacking machinery that should scare any team in the world. I know
they have a poor defence though but their attack is solid enough to push any side back.

Of course at this point in time, all pundits, analysts and soccer fans are tipping another Ghana vs Cote D'Ivoire final. That will be an ideal game befitting a final of the cup of nations but I hope this time round we will be able to thwart the efforts of Drgoba and his cohorts.

That is thinking far and the important thing is to cross the first round. I think the Cote D'Ivoire group is the strongest and though Cote D'ivoire are bound to qualify, it is not very clear between Sudan, Burkina and Angola, who will follow suit and I believe that with the display of Sudan against us and what Angola has shown in recent times, it will be
quite a tough group.
In group 'D', I am aware that Botswana were about the first team to qualify and have been the surprise package on the continent this year. We will be underrating them at our own peril and for a country that plays at high attitude, they will have the needed stamina to run with us 120 minutes throughout the game.

By now the coach surely has a fair idea of who he will be taking along to the nation's cup but I hope he will continuously monitor both the local league and other leagues around the world to ensure that we take the best 22 players that we have.

Like I said a few weeks ago, I see no reason why a player like KVP should be left out of the squad while with all due respect we play Jordan Ayew. I know Jordan has a lot of potential but come on coach; he is not in the league of KVP.

Ghana has waited too long to lift a trophy and getting to the final is no more enough for us. We need to win something!

I have been hearing quite a lot of bickering on air amongst our circles leadership and some of the supporters recently, I have been scratching my bald head wondering why Kotoko almost always tends to implode when things are going well. Why are we not able to manage success at all?

Why do we need to manage to spoil everything when things beginning to take shape. Why do we always want to be in crisis mode and be resolving issues rather than be moving forward in the right direction to positively win something. Our ultimate goal is to get back into Africa and make a huge impression there.

We have started well, we are on track and then supporters start bickering to spoil the whole party. I have heard denials here and there and assurances that everything is fine and
under control but there is no smoke without fire and so I am worried.

Are we all not Kotoko supporters? If we win do we all not brag about the same team? Why would one person want the team to fail just because another person is gaining prominence??  

What sort of life koraa is that? I just don't get it. Guys, we need to stop the feuding and realise that we are all supporting one and the same team and the success of that team
goads for all of us.

The other day at the stadium, I was so happy to see some good old faces, like Jarvis, Kenpong, Asuo, Osafo all happy cheering the team on to victory. That is the spirit we need in Kotoko and not someone wishing ill luck because another person is going to gain
the glory.

I really don't get it. If winning the league only is our ultimate or gaining a top four place is it, then I will be very ashamed at how low we are stooping. Guys, I can say on authority that k.K's vision is to go into Africa and make a statement.

If that statement means winning in Africa then so be it but he will need a united front to
do this. If the team machinery behind the scenes are not united with a common purpose, all his efforts will go in vein which will be sad, considering what he has done for the club so far.

So you will realise that I have not mentioned any names but I am sure if they read, they will know themselves. I will strongly advise that all interested parties put every difference they have aside and work together for the common good of Kotoko so we can maintain our status as the best club in Africa.

I remain your true red fabulous aficionado.
Kotoko Beku Me.