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Sustaining the winning spirit

 

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"In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."
- Theodore Roosevelt (1858 - 1919)

Kotoko played a very difficult match against Heart of Lions and won by two goals to nil but I must say the players themselves should be the first to admit that indeed they laboured to win the match.

Baba Yara Sports Stadium is a very difficult place to win matches but as far as I can remember, Lions nearly made the Kotoko home grounds a tourist centre few seasons ago.

Led by Paa Kwasi Fabin, the Kpando side defeated Kotoko thrice in a row in various competitions and despite Paa Kwasi moving to Kotoko, they were still able to hold their own against Kotoko.

That is no more after they were beaten 2-0 nil by Kotoko last Sunday with Paa Kwasi back in charge.

I followed the match with keen interest and I thought Kotoko could have scored more in the match, just as Lions should have done well to at least score a consolation goal. Lions dominated the match from the start after winning the toss of coin and scared the home crowd with some brilliant moves.

Gilbert Fiamenyo was the worst culprit and really spared Kotoko. He was so desperate to score thus committed very basic mistakes. I was happy the Kotoko coach Maxwell Konadu called Gilbert to the sidelines after the match and talked to him for several minutes.

Back to the match itself Kotoko showed Lions how to score goals and did twice find the net from some wonderful moves. Yaw Frimpong is the man now and I love to watch him play.

He is brilliant and I am sure those who doubted his call up to the national team have changed their perceptions about him. The Feyenoord trained youngster can run with the ball.

He broke the Lions fight with one of such moves and crossed beautifully for the reigning best player, Ahmed Toure, to nod home. It was Kotoko thereafter as Nathaniel Asamoah scored the second later. Kotoko then went on holidays from scoring so was Lions despite some fine exchanges.

I picked some few lessons from the match among which is the fact that every player fits perfectly into Maxwell’s system so well. In the absence of Yahaya Mohammed, it was difficult to trace a missing link while Fatau Mohammed, David Offei and fans’ favorite Stephen Oduro who had his first taste of the league did fit so well into the team.

Isaac Amoako is also back to the first team while yet others are still pushing to break into the first team. Watching the team train at the Adako Jaachie is wonderful these days, so much seriousness from the men it makes many a Kotoko fan feel there could be a second Kotoko team which could compete in the league if permitted and win matches to place second behind the current first team.

Consolidating the first position is fantastic and 10 points from a possible 12 is a good indication the players are yearning for the title.

The Vision 22 is on but the real test begins from here. Kotoko has won very important duels but the Berekum match against Arsenal, against Mighty Jets which might not be too difficult (do I sound over confident?) and then against Hearts in Accra are going to be very difficult period for the club.

If it turns out to be three in a row for Kotoko, then praise the Lord but why should I even be thinking about three in a row when the most important match now is against Arsenal?

Do you remember the controversy surrounding last season’s match between the two clubs? And Berekum remains a no go area for all clubs but are there any teams in Ghana that Kotoko is afraid of now?

The players are now in the winning mentality and everything should be done to sustain that feel good and can win spirit. It is my hope that Nathaniel Asamoah gets well soon from the neck injury as Kofi Nti Boakye also prepares to return but the non availability of Ben Acheampong is a worry to me.

I understand his registration did not go through meaning the former Wa All Stars target man cannot for now don the red jersey for Kotoko.

The shocking result Medeama chalked over Chelsea and Ashanti Gold’s snatching of a point at Dormaa with ten men were among the highlights of the matches last weekend.

The league table is taking shape now and it has been wonderful so far how Ghanaians are following our league now. I know people are simply refusing to go the stadium to watch the matches but it has been improving and I know Kotoko should be one of the clubs to complain of that.

The supporters do watch the matches though the stadium has not been filled fully these days. One thing is certain though, the standard of our league has been going up and it can’t be denied.

I know definitely that by the time Ghana kicks off the Cup of Nations campaign against Botswana in January, there would be a local contingent in the Black Stars team.

Count me among those who insist Ghana should be the winner of the Cup of Nations next year. It is our time and everything should be done to make this dream come to fruition.

There are other countries with good teams and brilliant individuals but Ghana should top the Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Botswana group and go ahead to lift the Cup.

"The minute you start talking about what you are going to do if you lose, you have lost."
-George Schultz



 
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