Emmanuel Kufour assures all

31st May 2007

He has in time past masterminded the infliction of severe dent on the pride of Kotoko, but having found himself in the Kotoko team of today, Kufour says the table has turned, “and it is time for me to compensate Kotoko for all the ‘wrongs’ that I professionally did against them”.

“This can only be achieved by my joining hands with my colleagues to record a convincing win over Hearts of Oak, come this Sunday as Cape Coast”.

These were the words of the man football fans prefer to call “General”, probably for the way he takes command over his playing colleagues and direct them from his immense store of experience from his playing career.

Despite the fact that matches between Kotoko and their nemesis, Hearts of Oak, have always been characterised by tension and so Sunday’s match will definitely not be different, Emmanuel Osei Kufour says the match means a lot to him and so was fully getting prepared for a date with his former club.

“It was just unfortunate that I missed the second leg league match against Ashgold F/C in Obuasi, because I love to play against my immediate former clubs. Since the opportunity to play against a former club has now fallen on Hearts of Oak, they will unfortunately have to brace themselves up for what I have for them”.

According to the player, matches between the two clubs exerts so much pressure on the players of both sides and so has prescribed patience and caution to his colleagues who much of the pressure would be on.

“Matches between the two clubs require a different temperament all together and so I want my colleagues not to allow themselves to be eaten up by the pressure that will come from the fans. We shall approach the match in our own style and hope to come out victorious on Sunday”.

“Kotoko supporters are looking for nothing but a victory from us, so we will have to do all we can to bring smiles to their faces on Sunday”.

Kufour’s special interest in the match emanates from the fact that besides the need for the team to win on Sunday, winning the top four is something that the club needs to boost their moral for the coming season.

Blaming fatigue for their inability to win their first match against Berekum Arsenal in Sunyani last Sunday, Kufour sees the one week period that they have had to prepare for the upcoming match as a good one.

“It is no secret that we struggled to play against Arsenal due to jet lag and fatigue, but with the period that we have had to blend rest and training sessions, we would be in top shape for Sunday. We are determined to make amends for any pain that we may have brought to our fans in the past”.

Admitting that matches between the two clubs do not follow form guide, he was however quick to add that for the first time in the history of matches between the two clubs, “form guide is going to play a very important role in determining who wins the day”.

“After our performance in Lagos last week, I am sure that we have identified some important positions that we would need to strengthen before Sunday. I have seen the coach working on those departments and I am grateful for that”.

To the fans who may be sceptical about the performance of the team on Sunday, Emmanuel Osei Kufour has a special message for them;

“Fans should not in any way harbour fears about the match because with the kind of determination that we are in now, they should be rest assured that we will give them a lot to cheer about”

“With their prayer support, I will like to assure them that I have a special package that will make them happy on Sunday”. 

By  David Kyei