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Kotoko won’t ignore experience
Posted: 9th April 2008
Every football team has certain things that help the team to perform and perform well. It can be the presence of a good coach, quality players, proper training, discipline, good administration, etc.
For Kumasi Asante Kotoko this season, it could be the amalgamation of all the things listed above. There is no dispute about that.
But whilst not contesting that assertion, Director of Operations Jerry Asare believes that one of the many things that has kept Kotoko going since the start of the 2007/2008 football season is the blend of youthful and experienced players.
Jerry Asare who was impressed and elated with the performance of the team against Wikki Tourists on Sunday told the Kotoko Express in a post match interview that, management took an excellent decision when it resolved to recruit fairly young players to complement the efforts of the senior players most of whom could be described as ‘experienced’ purely on the basis of their time spent with the club as well as their general contributions over the years.
He said though their decision to transfer some senior players was initially difficult, it was necessary because it was in the good interest of the club. He said management would not ignore experienced players as it sought to build a formidable team for both domestic and international competitions. He maintained that Kotoko would continue to excel because with the blend of young and seasoned players, the team would not be found wanting in matches.
“We believe that a football team must have both young and highly experienced players. Where the young ones cannot perform, their ‘old’ colleagues will come in. Where the ‘old’ players can also not live up to expectation, the young ones would deliver” argued the Director of Operations.
While assuring supporters that everything would be done to safeguard the future of all Kotoko players, Jerry Asare also demanded that it would be worthwhile for supporters to give their unflinching support to the players and not pamper them even when they go wrong. He said management would ensure that decisions it would take concerning player welfare would not be detrimental but positive, progressive and reasonable.
Touching on the 4-1 drubbing of Wikki Tourists on Sunday, the Director of Operations praised the players for their output although he conceded that their performance was not a classic one. “If a team wins 4-1, nobody will believe that they did not play well. Wikki offered a stiff opposition. They came all out. We were tactically superior. I don’t know if the fans were expecting a basketful of goals but at times it is good to listen to your critics” he said.
He called for an end to the victory party that followed shortly after Sunday’s game. He said Kotoko would not take chances. “We know we are playing Dolphins FC, a team in division one. We will not be deceived by anything. They could be dangerous as such we will prepare adequately for them” he said. Kotoko will play away to Dolphins FC on April 27, 2008.
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