Manu relishes Date with Hearts

Asante Kotoko’s central defender Richard, “90-90” Manu, has described Heart of Lions as the Porcupine Warriors’ toughest opposition so far in the One Touch Premier League.

To Manu, the assertion is not based on the fact that Lions scored two goals in Kumasi, but simply because after matches, players look at how tired they are, the energy lost and how the game went to make such declarations.

“Let me confess here, I have played in several matches since returning to Ghana, but I must say that this has been the most difficult of all matches”.

“Lions are a very good side but Kotoko is better. They gave us a very tough time but I thank God we managed to go through”.

“But for our power play, we would have had things difficult against a side that had almost everything going their way. We were superior in terms of experience and scared them with our power play”.

Asked how he felt scoring his first competitive goal for Asante Kotoko, Richard said it is the duty of every player on the field to score against opponents

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“I had my duty cut out, and it was to make sure my goalkeeper does not pick balls from his net. All that I had to do was to obediently do that like a soldier”.

“I always have the additional task to carry my colleagues on my shoulders and go to their aid when they are in trouble. I have always been encouraged to move forward based on the particular situation”.

“I did that several times and managed to score two goals, but the referee chose to allow only one”.

“I found myself at the right place in my first goal. I saw the ball coming and nearly became confused whether to stop it first before shooting, shoot with the leg or to use the head”.

“Since I had spent more time than necessary, I realized that the ball was touching down, so I momentarily met it by diving low for it. I am happy that luck smile on me,” was his answer to the question what went on through his mind before the goal was scored.

Despite the personal goal he scored, he attributed the victory to team effort and accordingly commended his colleagues for their effort at achieving victory for the club.

In the course of the match, Manu showed signs of frustration thereby making him loss concentration at a point in time.

“The Lions attackers were punching and pulling our shirts without any caution from the referee. Therefore wanted to be more physical in response to that of my opponents but my trainers told me to exercise patience as any card against me might ruin my chance of playing against Hearts. Since that match is one that I look forward to so much, I had no choice but to swallow my frustrations and continue with the match” Manu told Kotoko Express.

With Lions dealt with, Manu says Sunday’s match against Hearts of Oak is now his target and just can’t wait to play.

“I will look at eleven people facing me and count on my colleagues that we just run over them with the best of our abilities. They can even bring Ronaldinho but I tell you, nobody from Hearts will be allowed to cause damage”.

“That will not happen, besides, our supporters do not deserve defeat at this time”.

It will be the first time I will play against Hearts and they say it is the most difficult match to play in Ghana but I believe in our team and know Hearts will fall. We will reward our supporters with a great victory against Hearts, God willing”, he promised.