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 No Easter for Kotoko players
By: Jerome Otchere
3rd March 2008
When this year’s Easter festivities are marked between the 21st and 23rd of March, players and the technical bench of Kumasi Asante Kotoko will not be part of it for very obvious reasons. The club would at that time be in Nigeria to play as guests of Wikki Tourists in the CAF Confederation Cup competition. Kotoko has been paired against the Nigerian side in the 1/16th stage. The first leg encounter between the two sides at Buachi, Nigeria is on March 22.
That day is Easter Saturday otherwise known as the ‘Holy Saturday’. What this means is that the team will not have the luxury to think about the Easter festivities on Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday or even Easter Monday as it will be preparing, playing and reflecting on the outcome of the match and strategising for the return encounter as well as league matches.
The first round of the Onetouch Premier League will end on March 17 – that is five days before Kotoko storm Nigeria. The team may not have any real break after the league as it will definitely plunge into serious training for the CAF Confederation match immediately the curtains are lowered on the league in less than two weeks time. Though the Kotoko Express is yet to set eyes on the club’s training schedule for March and even April, it is predictable that there will not be any room for break in view of the crucial matches ahead.
After Kotoko had been to Nigeria to play Wikki Tourists on March 22, the Nigerians will be trek to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on April 6 for the second leg encounter. By that time, the second round of the Onetouch Premier League which is expected to commence on April 2 would have started already with Kotoko probably travelling to the Tamale Sports Stadium to face the Pride of North Real Tamale United.
Perhaps, management will request for the adjournment of that potential dicey encounter since it will be just four days before the Confederation Cup tie against Wikki Tourist in Kumasi. Whatever the case may be, Kotoko Express’ analysis of the club’s training and match schedules suggest that a tight programme awaits the players and the technical bench. Coach Bashir Hayford and his charges would have to brace themselves up for that exhausting time ahead in order not to be overtaken by events.
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