Tumultuous season for Kotoko...

A dejected Kotoko bench after defeat 

The sight of Accra Hearts of Oak at 4th place on the just ended 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League is irksome. It is irritating not because I am a Kotoko sympathizer but more because I believe it was sheer injustice that sent them there.

Although the league has effectively ended Kotoko must do everything within the remit of the law to reclaim the six points that were unjustifiably deducted by the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) as a result of the so-called ineligibility of Obed Owusu in the super clash.

So much has been said about that case lodged by Hearts and the points that were awarded them to the extent that, most Kotoko supporters now get irritable when the issue is raised without any firm assurance that the illogical ruling given by the Disciplinary Committee will likely be reversed. The assurance I can give is that, neither the Board of Directors nor the management of the club will go to sleep on the matter until Kotoko have justice.

As of the time of going to press, Kotoko’s case at the Appeals Committee was yet to be determined. I believe it would be necessary therefore to end the commentary on the case.

I will however return to it when the decision of Appeals Committee comes out. Whether the committee’s decision goes Kotoko’s way or not, I will, by God’s grace, be back in this column or in subsequent write-ups to share my thoughts on the judgement of the Appeals Committee.

Even though Kotoko had quite a tumultuous season, the Porcupines’ rightful position on the league table should be 2nd and not 7th. Hopefully, when the six points are restored, the present ranking will change. The Board of Directors in a statement released over the weekend served notice that, the Obed Owusu case would be pursued to its logical conclusion. They in fact, explained why they didn’t proceed to court, saying that after thoughtful considerations of the ramifications for Ghana football, they rescinded their decision on the court action.

Looking at all that Kotoko went through in the 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League, there’s no denial the team struggled. There were difficulties on the pitch – failing to win both at home and away. Home defeats were more painful to take. I can’t forget the defeat inflicted on us by Hearts, Edubiase and especially the 3-0 Berekum Chelsea humiliation.

Although the 3-1 loss to relegated Heart of Lions was also humbling my consolation was in the fact that, Kotoko thumped them 4-0 in the Kumasi game before they exacted their pound of flesh at Kpando. That Coach David Duncan came in to stabilize the team towards the end of the league’s first round is a point that cannot be contested but it is also true that, the coach almost lost grip of affairs when the second round commenced.

I wouldn’t want to blame David Duncan too much since he came in quite late. He also didn’t have any time with the team whatsoever during the pre-season. It’s only fair that he is given perhaps a second chance – a complete new season – where he would have the opportunity to recruit players of his choice; start on a fresh note and working alongside management and other Kotoko stakeholders, set objectives or specific targets for the 2015/16 season. 

This definitely must be done after comprehensively reviewing the 2014/15 season with full recognition given to the team’s failures and successes on and off the pitch. I will in my next article take a close look at the off the pitch developments which for me have direct impact on what happens on the pitch. You cannot delink the two.

I dare add that, if the 2015/16 season will be any different from the 2014/15 season, it will be heavily dependent on exactly what the Board of Directors and management of the club do outside the field. We shouldn’t underestimate the role a formidable administrative setup can play to turn the fortunes of the club positively. It is imperative that Kotoko get the off the pitch issues right to dream of achieving something better in the new season.