Why Stephen Oduro is still useful

The evergreen, Stephen Oduro (in yellow shirt) 

Days after the publication of our 2016 registered players, my good friend George Addo Jnr. of Joy FM asked me what exactly influenced the club’s decision to once again add the name of the midfield gem, Stephen Oduro to the list of players for the upcoming season. It was an interesting question but it wasn’t difficult understanding the import or significance of that question.

Stephen Oduro has been with Kotoko for nearly two decades and especially in the last decade, many have wondered what his contributions to the team has been on the pitch. More so where everybody can see or tell what Stephen Oduro does on the field of play when selected for matches, no one within Kotoko can throw dust into the eyes of the public.

Numbers, figures and statistics say a lot about players when it comes to their appearances and performance. Barring injuries, ill-health or any other thing that prevents a player from playing regularly for his team, a good player is always likely to be fielded by his coach.

Stephen Oduro was for instance fielded six times in 30 league matches of the 2014/15 Premier League. Thus coming from my statement about appearances and a player’s quality; performance or usefulness, the obvious question to ask is: if Stephen Oduro is that good and has so much to offer Kotoko, why was he fielded only six times in a season that saw the Porcupines struggle?

That’s a legitimate question. It’s the type of question that many people, like my friend George Addo Jnr. genuinely asked when they saw our publication and the inclusion of Stephen Oduro. I decided to write on Oduro and his relevance to the team not just to add to the information already out there on his registration but to also buttress the point that, for a player who has spent practically his entire career at Kotoko and largely on the domestic scene, it’s appropriate that, we keep him if we still find him valuable.

Stephen Oduro is a local jewel. He hasn’t just spend a chunk of his playing time at Kotoko, he has additionally made immense contributions to our course. I lack the strength to describe Stephen Oduro’s time at the club simply because of the weight of his contributions. They are too heavy for my shoulders.

His unalloyed loyalty and dedication to Kotoko has been unquestionable. His intelligence and sheer brilliance with which he has dazzled millions of supporters are public knowledge. My good friend and a Hearts fan, Obed Echia once wrote this about Oduro: “Stephen Oduro’s dexterity in midfield poses a worry to opponents. He initiates attacks that leave goalies too disturbed. In Europe, Christian Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard, Lionel Messi, David Beckham are noted for brilliant free kicks and in Ghana, Stephen Oduro holds that accolade.

Oduro is fondly remembered for his breathtaking free kick, which dazed Sammy Adjei who despite seeing Kotoko fans celebrating still looked for the ball outside the net, in a Kotoko-Hearts league fixture in Kumasi”. If a journalist with a soft spot for Kotoko’s arch rivals will write that about Oduro; then I need not continue eulogizing the player.

People have talked about Oduro’s age. They have asked if he still has the verve to run. Every living thing ages with time and aging, for want of a better expression, comes with some wear and tear. In consequence, it’s no news to if Oduro is aging and that, comparatively, he isn’t as energetic as he used to be. But please, if I may ask: what’s age when the man is still devoted to the Porcupine agenda on and off the pitch, sharing his priceless football wisdom?

We ought to celebrate Oduro and duly honour him at the right time. George Addo Jnr. and others who have asked about his inclusion in the current team didn’t seek to ask embarrassing questions but rather solicit useful information, which we must always give in accordance with the club’s communications or Public Relations policy.

Someday, I will return on this subject. For now, all I say is, Oduro still has a lot to offer on and off the field of pay. We must, as supporters and the general public, respect the club’s decision. At the right time, when he decides to hang his boots, Kotoko and may be the Premier League Board and the Ghana Football Association will give him a befitting send-off party for his service to the club and the domestic game.