Kotoko hasn’t arrived yet – Baah-Nuakoh

28th March 2008

Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s performance in the first round of the Onetouch Premier League was outstanding. When the club travelled to Nigeria last week to play Wikki Tourists in the CAF Confederation Cup, the team’s brilliance was evident as the Porcupines held the Nigerians to a 2-2 drawn game in the first leg encounter.

In the following interview with Jerome Otchere, Director of Communications, Kwame Baah-Nuakoh, recalls the team’s experience in Nigeria, answers questions on Coach Bashir Hayford, player recruitment and other related issues. He concludes that though Kotoko is performing well, the club is still yet to arrive at its destination.

KE: When Kotoko went to Nigeria last week there were reports that the club was maltreated in Lagos and also at Bauchi. How did management handle issues there?

KBN: I think that the word maltreatment is quite harsh. Things were not particularly good but it is not fair to say we were maltreated. The Nigerian club has virtually no experience in African club competitions. They probably did not appreciate what it takes to welcome opposing teams. They had little or no knowledge as to how to go about things. For instance, in reference to the sort of hotel that was given to Kotoko in Bauchi, they told us it was what they could afford. So it really was not a case of maltreatment. The treatment we were given was sub-standard but we were not maltreated. That is how I will put it.

KE: How was the team able to put the sub-standard reception behind them to draw 2-2 at the end of the day?

KBN: It was a combination of several factors. We have players in the team who are well experienced. We also have others who are young, energetic and intelligent. The crucial thing therefore was getting a blend. I think we got that right. Emmanuel Osei Kuffour as captain of the team is one person who has seen it all when it comes to African club competitions. He and other experienced players like Daniel Acquah had a duty to get the young players to understand the need to put any negative development behind them. The entire players needed to appreciate the situation, forget about everything and focus on the match. Management on its part made the team aware of the need to remain calm and concentrate on the game. All these worked well for us.

KE: The team was given a wonderful reception when they arrived at the Kotoka International Airport last Sunday. This nice reception was certainly as a result of their good performance in Nigeria. Can we start celebrating ahead of the return leg because we secured a vital 2-2 draw?

KBN: Clearly the reception gave the indication that the supporters were satisfied with the results the team recorded in Nigeria. But we do not have to be complacent. The 2-2 draw in Nigeria is not the end of the tie. The tie will end in Kumasi. I have no doubt that our players will deliver when the second leg is played. The circumstances under which we played in Nigeria were not too good. For example, the weather condition was not favourable. It took four or five minutes for our players to feel the impact of the bad weather. The pitch was terrible. It was of poor quality. Two of our players vomited at the end of the first half. The sawdust on the pitch got into the nostrils and throats of the players and it choked them. Osei Kwame Junior vomited five minutes after kick-off. The point is that if we survived under those conditions then we will be impressive at home where we will have a better pitch and of course a favourable weather.

KE: Do you then anticipate an exciting encounter at home?

KBN: Of course! But we do not have to be complacent. We played well in Nigeria. Our players were resilient. We led the game for sometime. I will concede that Wikki Tourists gave us a good fight. They will not come easy here. Let nobody have any illusions about that. The Nigerians played well. They were physical and strong in the air. We will prepare adequately for them.

KE: What preparations are being made to win the match on April 6?

KBN: The team went on a short break. They were expected to resume training yesterday. As you know, six of our players have been on national duty. Those who were in London should be joining the team by now. Those who were invited for the local Black Stars match against Niger in Tamale will join their colleagues after Sunday. We will therefore have the full compliment after Sunday. It is good we have these players on national duty. With the little exposure, they will have their confidence and performance boosted.

KE: On the local scene, there is continuous talk about Kotoko’s excellent show in the first round of the Onetouch Premier League. What do you think accounted for the good performance?

KBN: It has to do with the quality of players we recruited, not just that but also the competition that we created in the team. Of course, the quality players we recruited brought about the competition. The sort of players we recruited meant that no position was guaranteed for any player. Every player needed to work hard. Some started well but others faded out along the line. It is the competition! We can also talk about discipline. We had to come hard on some players. The punishments meted out to these players were to reform them and not to ruin their career.

KE: You have enumerated some points there but what will you settle on if you are asked to choose one thing that ensured Kotoko’s fine performance in the first round of the league?

KBN: Competition in the team! I initially said our good recruitment set into motion a healthy competition. That is what has been driving the team right from the beginning of the league.

KE: What about player commitment or motivation? Can’t we talk about one of these?

KBN: Motivation is crucial but if you motivate poor quality players I do not see how they will perform. On the other hand, if you motivate players who are not committed, no matter how much you give them, they cannot perform. You will not get the needed result. When you recruit quality players and create competition among them, motivation comes as a bonus, isn’t it?

KE: Some supporters continue to wonder why players such as Obissessah Abiodun, Stephen Oduro and Isaac Amoako do not get more playing time. Obi for instance did not featured for the club in the league but he has proven to be good. Is management worried about that?

KBN: For us the team is winning. That is what is most important. If the coach will use 12 lepers and give us results, we do not care. We will have no problem. So long as the team keeps winning, we are fine. It does not matter who is playing. I think there is one important thing supporters must know. Selection for matches is based on performance. Each player must work hard to get into the team first and maintain it. It is not about names or what somebody did sometime ago.

KE: Coach Bashir Hayford at a point complained about his contract. There were even wild speculations on radio that he could be fired by management. What is management’s actual position on the coach?

KBN: As we speak now, Bashir Hayford is the coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko. If management has any doubt about his performance, we will let the public know. He is in-charge. He is our coach. There is no ambiguity about that. He is Kotoko’s coach.  

KE: The second player registration window was opened a couple of weeks back. Who is Kotoko signing for the second round of the Onetouch Premier League?

KBN: Well, after consultation with the technical bench, they recommended that a couple of places or positions in the team needs reinforcement. We are bringing some players. They will not be more than three. We are working on them. We should be able to complete everything this week.

KE: Who are these players? Can you give out their names?

KBN: No! Their names will be made available or made public by the close of this week or early next week. What I can tell you however is that we are bringing one defender, midfielder and a striker. They are three players in all.

KE: Your final words or message to the supporters and readers of Kotoko Express…

KNB: I encourage them to continue supporting the club. Management is committed to doing the right things; taking decisions that will be in the interest of the club. We call for their support. We are on the right path but we are yet to achieve the very target we set for ourselves.