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 Oduro’s day of pride
Posted: 16th May 2008
Life, it has been said presents different opportunities at different times and that it is the responsibility of the beneficiary of providence to intelligently position him or herself so well as to make the best of what opportunities bring.
This philosophical exposition on life aptly describes the situation that the man who used to respond to different accolades, Stephen Oduro, finds himself.
Having either warmed the bench or come on as substitutions with sometimes very little play time left for him to display what he can brings to bear in the match.
Though the Onetouch premier league is seventeen weeks old, Stephen Oduro played his first full duration at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra when Kotoko locked horns with league title aspirants, Kpando Hearts of Lion.
Not only did he play in that match, he was wore the captain's armband for the match since he was the most senior player at the side.
The first half of the match was a good period for him as he combined with Daniel Nii Adjei to ensure that supplies of balls to the Kotoko attack was intact.
Having played the entire duration and the match which was heading toward a draw, Oduro displayed one of the rare moments of bravado, when he urged his colleagues on until he was able to secure the match winner for the team to set the stadium agog with cheers and noise making.
In a post match interview with Kotoko Express, Oduro, whose emotions was so infectious with some tears of joy was full of praise to God for everything that he was able to achieve.
 “It was by the Grace and will of God that I have come this far. I owe every bit of my performance to him because he has programmed everything to happen the way it went. I thank him so much and pray that he continues to be my guide”.
With news of an impending feud between him and his coach flying all over the airwaves and even some print media, Oduro denied ever having a problem with his coach, and with a sense of maturity explained what he taught accounted for his not pulling a regular shirt for the team.
“The world all over, it has become a convention that coaches do not change winning teams and since the team was doing well, it was only natural than it was going to be a long time before I could get the chance into the starting line up”.
“I am not oblivious to the fact that in football, there will get to a time when one may not always be a regular because there may be a person at your position who may have fitted so well into the winning team that pulling him out may become a disaster for the team”
“I however thank God that I did not in anyway disgrace myself when the opportunity to play beckoned”.
As the captain for the day, he says he felt the pressure the need to pull a bid surprised for the fans who at that time had become quite, as compared to the first half when the chanted and sang for the club.
“Kotoko supporters are a very special people and so when I realized that the match was heading towards a drawn game, I told some of my colleagues for use to lift up our game. In this way I found myself at the right place and at the right time to score the match winner”.
 “When I had achieved that, I felt like jumping into the stands to celebrate with the fans. I was so elated that those who were around me heard me shout aloud to thank God,” was his answer to the question on how he felt after the goal.
His impressive performance did not only make the fans happy, but also served as a key that opened the doors to their largesse.
This was done in grand style as people ranging from small peasant traders on the streets to top business executives all dipping deep into their pockets to donate to the players.
Despite two wonderful outings that saw Kotoko show character in both matches, people have been wandering whether it was a new and rejuvenated Stephen Oduro or that his performance was going to lull sooner than later.
“God has made me a bundle of football talent and so I see myself not going to be over the hill that soon. What fans are seeing is the Stephen Oduro that has not gotten the chance to play my part in the history making feat of the club. Now that the opportunity has been seized, they will be no turning back”.
 “I owe all fans a horde of gratitude for the way they stood by me during my days on the bench. I want to promise them all that with God being my helper, I shall fully contribute my quota to the success of the club”
“Our focus as a team is to take a big stretch on top of the league table and also win the confederations cup. I therefore entreat all fans of the club to pray for us to get the needed strength to execute all these agenda. We are in this fight for victory together and will therefore need all our supporters on board,” was the request he had for the fans.
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