Sunyani gave us our first victory…

Jordan Opoku and teammates celebrate Amed Toure's goal.

There is no doubt that we have genuine Kotoko supporters. Across Ghana and beyond, I’ve met a number of these supporters in my work at Kotoko Express and Asantekotokosc.com. I continue to meet many of them. It’s not as if I didn’t know but I have to reiterate that, my 24hour-stay in Sunyani – the Brong Ahafo Regional capital over the weekend, has reinforced my conviction that, the region has one of the best groups of Kotoko supporters.

It’s perhaps wrong to group Kotoko fans in the region under the big umbrella of the Brong Ahafo Regional Circles Council, knowing very well that, there are thousands if not millions of Kotoko fans in that renowned region who don’t belong to the Circles. I applaud those supporters for their prayers and the unflinching support they gave to Kotoko on Sunday.

These fans turned up in great numbers to fill the Coronation Park to its capacity for 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League, match day three fixture against B. A. United. Even though it’s sad that, Kotoko earned nothing at the gates because of the home-take-all-policy, with regard to gate proceeds, it is important to acknowledge that, Kotoko were more concerned with victory and not money matters at the gates.

B. A. United must be smiling all the way to the bank. They don’t have to worry too much as a result.

With the circumstances under which Kotoko came into the match, there was no way, B. A. United were going to win and at the same time, carry away all the huge takings at the gates. As said in street football argument, Kotoko brought them money at gates while they took the three points. That was what mattered most to Kotoko.

The massive presence of Kotoko fans at the Park is one of the reasons, the team won.

While I commend those non-Circle members for their total support, I praise Chairman Kennedy Enyan and his BARCC members who supported management’s work in Sunyani. One may ask how the BARCC’s did that. That isn’t a difficult question to answer.

Supporters play vital roles in winning football matches. It’s all right to prepare players adequately for matches and expect the best results from them. Yet when supporters decide to boycott matches or even show up but turn to be hostile, the repercussions can be serious. I doubt whether in Europe and other advanced societies, organised supporters’ groups host their teams in the manner we do in Ghana.

We have a unique situation where supporters of clubs like Kotoko feel a part of the team. At every visit to their locality, they “make the ground fertile” for victory. That is what the BARCC did. We can’t take away the fact that, management; the technical team and the players performed their roles well in exorcising the ghost that prevented them from winning.

Sunyani played a big part. From the days of former BARCC Chairman, Oppong Brenya, when I first came into contact with Kotoko fans in the BARCC; my observation is that, these supporters don’t turn their backs on Kotoko. There is no denial that, the BARCC remains one of the most organised Kotoko supporters groups; how they have constantly been organised, playing noticeable roles in the affairs of Kotoko is a subject to be interrogated later.

Now that victory has come, we must share the joy and work towards consistent wins. It was good that, the technical team rang changes in the team, dropping three players who were in the Sekondi Hasaacas game. Goalkeeper, Ofori Antwi was in for Joseph Addo while Amos Frimpong replaced Ohene Brenya with Michael Akuffu starting ahead of Richard Mpong.

There was total team play. Ofori Antwi wasn’t really tested but he fared well on the few times he was called to duty. The partnership between Abeiku and Amos was fantastic. Bonney and Asante worked well in their respective wingback positions. Jordan displayed true leadership.

Amed Toure was phenomenal. Owusu Jackson, Akuffu, Frank Sarfo Gyamfi, Obed Owusu and substitutes, Dauda Mohammed, Kwadwo Poku and Ohene Brenya, who came on for Amos in the 95th minute, all played excellent supporting roles in their corresponding positions.

I can’t tell if the technical team will stick to the same line-up in the next game on Friday against Inter Allies at home but having kept four players from the Aduana match up to the B. A. United, there is utmost certainty that, Didi will stick to his performers in search of another win.