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| Kotoko's performance in the 2014/15 has been under scrutiny. |
Despite widespread reports of
a court injunction sought by King Faisal to stop the commencement of the
2014/15 Premier League First Capital Plus Premier League, the competition
kicked off without a hitch on Saturday with two matches and six other matches
on Sunday. It was fun. This fun however almost eluded us.
When I heard media reports
that, King Faisal were in court again, I felt angry. My anger emanated from
fears that, with the preparations that clubs have undertaken within a short
time after the GFA’s Congress, a restraining order from the court was to send
us back on ice.
Thankfully, within hours, the
GFA sent a circular informing clubs to “disregard” the media reports that the
league wouldn’t start in view of the court injunction, saying that, their
league schedule would come on as planned. If there was anything that surprised
me a lot about the purported injunction, it wasn’t the extensive media report
it received but rather the gleeful haste with which sections of the media broke
the news.
I admit that, no one really determines
for us what makes us happy and what saddens us but when we raise wine glasses
over negative developments that have consequences on national development, I
ask myself if something isn’t wrong with us as a people.
It’s good that the competition
finally got underway because the thirst for local football action had become
too strong and that the GFA, with who King Faisal have been in court for more
than four months, consequently delaying the start of the Premier League, had to
act swiftly to save clubs from further loss and disappointment. King Faisal’s
quest for justice cannot be faulted though.
At this juncture, I only wish
them well in their pursuit. Away from that, Kotoko were away to Aduana Stars.
Against hopes of defying the oddities at the Agyeman Badu Park to record their first
victory at that particular venue, where they have not won since the 2009/10
season, the Porcupine Warriors lost 0-1.
That, Kotoko were determined
to end Aduana Stars’ six-year-old home invincibility in their meetings was not a
matter in any doubt. Yet the Dormaa Ahenkro side proved stronger like they have
done in previous games. I won’t say much on that except to stress the point
that, as Coach Mas-ud Didi Dramani and his players return home to face Hasaacas
on match day two on Wednesday, they also have to maintain the status quo.
Kotoko must beat the Giants of
the West, who in impressive style went guns blazing to thump Liberty
Professionals 3-1. I am comforted by the fact that, the season has just
started. There’re 29 more matches to be played. The team has to put the loss to
Aduana Stars behind them. They must focus firmly on Hasaacas. Whatever lesson
that has to be learnt must have been learnt.
I have confidence in the team
for the simple reason that, there are quality players in there. From
goalkeeping to attack, Kotoko boast of an excellent group of players who can
deliver at any time. It hurts to lose but it should also not be forgotten that,
Dormaa Ahenkro has constantly been a slippery ground for Kotoko. The team
shouldn’t dwell too much on Sunday’s defeat.
I implore the technical team
to check their deployment of the players in the next game. That’s critical. It
surprised many at Dormaa Ahenkro when Kwadwo Poku started at the right side of
defence. Until Christopher Bonney substituted Kwadwo Poku, many were those who expressed
their displeasure with the coach’s decision to field Kwadwo Poku in that
position.
The technical team definitely
has a reason for that. I will not comment on how Kwadwo Poku performed in that
defensive role except to stress that, in times of defeat, what the team needs
most is encouragement and support. We must offer that. We must not throw our
hands in despair. Hopefully, the team will bounce back in Wednesday’s game. No
one should give up.
It is just too early for
supporters to sound bitter and discouraged. Pain, defeat or failure always
comes with a sour taste in our mouths. It will be better tomorrow if it wasn’t
good today. That conviction should guide the players and supporters into the
next game. In the meantime, I wish all Kotoko Express readers and
Asantekotokosc.com visitors well in the New Year while I also pray for God’s
blessing for them.
