Kotoko to face Greek side...... as board admits failure

Beleaguered General Manager of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Samuel Opoku Nti, has what could be his last chance to right the wrongs of the season as he has promised to lead the club to defeat Greece top club, Veria FC, on November 15 to lower the curtains on the club’s 80th nanniversary celebration.

Kotoko are desperate to win back the confidence of their followers by ending the anniversary on a victorious note, having surrendered the Premier League title, MTN/FA Cup and the annual Otumfuo Challenge Cup in a disappointing season in which they finished in sixth position on the league log.

Indeed, the Porcupine Warriors were initially billed to play Romania side Petrolul to lower the curtain on the celebration but were compelled to cancel the fixture because it clashed with the First Capital Plus Premier League.

Beyond the November 15 game in Kumasi, the two sides are expected to exchange ideas in the technical areas of the game and open doors for Kotoko players to explore Europe.

At a press briefing in Kumasi yesterday, Opoku Nti said the team was stepping up preparations to give the fans something to cheer about.

In another development, the Board Chairman of Kotoko, Paul Adu-Gyamfi, has made an open confession to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, that his team failed in its second year and that no one could begrudge Kotoko’s Life Patron if he decided to give the club a new direction.

Rather, he said members of the board were grateful to the Otumfuo for the opportunity to serve him and Asanteman.

The legal practitioner made the admission when he led the board members to meet Otumfuo at the Manhyia Palace last Wednesday, after which the Asantehene issued a statement through his Chief of Staff, Kofi Badu, that he was struck by the fact that Kotoko were in danger of relegation at a crucial stage of the just-ended season and, naturally, he had to seek some informed opinion on what was happening and explore available options.

Otumfuo assured the board he was not going to announce any decision on the club’s future without first granting them audience. He later asked the board to present a true picture of the problem it encountered over the past two years, as well as present candid views on the way forward to enable him to make a final decision on the club’s future.

The statement, however, failed to make a specific statement on who takes over the club but rather asked the management, board, technical and medical teams to present comprehensive reports.

The Asantehene last Wednesday met with other stakeholders in the club such as the playing body, management and the frontrunner for the takeover, Samuel Osei Kuffour.