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History beckons Kotoko
By: David Owusu-Mensah
As Kotoko prepare to progress into the lucrative group stage of this year’s confederations cup, the task of overturning the 1-2 deficit against Libyan side Al-Ittihad SC, appears to be sending refreshing memories to the great Porcupine fraternity.
This boils down to the fact that the last time Kotoko competed in the restructured tournament, they managed to sail through the preliminary stages and further went the extra mile to play in the final despite being gallant losers to arch rivals, Hearts of Oak in an all Ghanaian finale.
Ironically, it was the maiden edition of the CAF Confederations Cup, and the fabulous boys were handed a similar 1-2 score line against Nigerian giants Enugu rangers in Nigeria after having coasted past them 3-1 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. This was during the group stages of the tournament and the result ultimately handed Kotoko the final berth.
The difference between the two scenarios clearly depicts a vice versa situation since Kotoko at this point in time have the all important task to cancel the 1-2 result in Libya and eventually secure qualification to the group stages.
And this, many faithfuls of the club and football lovers in the country believe Kotoko has the physical strength and mental fortitude to upstage the Libyans by the required number of goals and proceed to the next stage.
For the records however, the Porcupine Warriors have hit the back of the net eight times and conceded only two at the Baba Yara Stadium on the two separate occasions they have hosted opponents in the ongoing Confederations Cup.
The Nigeria duo of Wikki Tourist and Dolphins FC were the two main victims who suffered 4-1 defeats respectively at the hands of Kotoko.
The history books as they stand now, are currently in favor of Kotoko, as the Reds have two African Club Championship Cups to their credit, with Ittihad having the only honour of being a semi finalist in last year’s CAF Champions League competition.
Records in the Confederations Cup also show that Kotoko have the edge over the Libyans for being finalist on two occasions in the respective years of 2002 (then Cup Winners Cup) and 2004, whiles Ittihad is yet to make any impact in the competition.
For local league titles however, the Libyan giants are on the verge of drawing level with the Porcupine Warriors who have just been crowned Ghanaian league champions for the 21st time.
The Baba Yara Stadium being the long time fortress of Kotoko, is where mighty African Club giants like Nadi El Ahly and Zamalek both of Egypt, West African neighbours, Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast, Englebert of DR Congo, now TP Mazembe and a host of other notable clubs have all fallen to Kotoko.
Though the Ittihad opposition may be a bit cagey; the home venue of Kotoko backed by the large vociferous fans the noble five-member management and the result-getting playing body must make the final road to the group stages of the 5th edition of the CAF Confederations Cup a done deal.
For now, all attention must be focused on a successful plan to conquer Ittihad so as to ensure the victory party for the season that has already been rolling to continue as expected.
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