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It was an away at our home grounds- Players declare
David Kyei, Kumasi
Last Saturday would go into the annals of continental football as the day victory was pulled from right under the noses of Kotoko at their favourite Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
In a match that had been described by www.cafonline.com as a “a win or burst for Kotoko”, it was clear that Africa’s football controlling body, CAF, was very much aware of the enormity and importance of the match and so many hailed the appointment of the current “best” referee on the continent, Beninese Coffie Codjiah, as an apt decision by the referees appointment committee of CAF.
But how wrong the earlier hailed appointment turned out to be. After the bizarre officiating by the West African neighbour who ensured that the two teams shared the spoils of a point apiece, players of Kotoko were at their wits end and wondered how come they could be cheated at their own backyard.
Speaking to some of the players, they expressed shock and worry at the way after doing their best, the referee decided to determine the outcome of the match.
“This was one match we were so determined to win so that we could go to Sudan and cause a major upset to them, but the referee had his plans which were quite contrary to ours”.
“My concern and worry with the whole match is with the fact that the referee showed open bias against us. If he had done this against us in an away match, we would have taken it as one of the trickery and mischief of the African continental game, but to have such pain inflicted on us at our own backyard leaves much to be desired,” was how stalwart defender, Godfred Yeboah poured out his frustration and disappointments.
On his part, the captain of the side, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, shared in the frustration of Godfred and added that, in his playing time as a footballer which goes back some decades, “ this is the first time that I have seen a referee steal victory and success for an away team”.
“Since the match was beamed live across the continent and beyond, I just hope that the people who appointed him would review the video recording of the match and take the appropriate measure to ensure that such a disgraceful act was not repeated”.
“We live on a volatile continent and so people should be careful with the way they carry about their duties. The referee is walking as a free man today, but may not be that lucky elsewhere and so has to be mindful of their actions”.
As a captain of the side, a lot laid on his shoulder to ensure that Kotoko players stayed focused through out the match.
However, many fans complained that the players in that particular match were in an unnecessary haste to score thereby making them make hush of some of the glorious chances that came their way.
“It is true that we wasted some chances, but we should also not forget that the sport that we are engaged in is football, where on some days; one can have all the chances and yet would not be able to convert a single of them”.
“Much as it is regrettable that we did not win the match, I would say that we have been served a useful lesson never to lose our guards be they away or home matches”.
“Many may hold the view that all may be lost for us in making it to the finals of the competition, but I must say that as the main characters on the field, we have not lost hope and that we would fight on to the last point and trusts that if it is truly our calling to be in the final and win, no human influence can stop us” Kuffour assured.
To the fans who fells let down by the bizarre draw to Etoile du Sahel, the captain had a word for them: “I know it is a difficult time for them to comprehend what really went wrong that they could be cheated on our own grounds. I will however want them to take heart and continue to be with us whilst we fight hard to get back into the final. All, I must say, is not lost and that there is still the chance of making it”.
Whilst some of the players had the courage to speak to Kotoko Express, it was not same for influential midfielder, Stephen Oduro, and confederations cup top scorer, Eric Bekoe.
Their attempts at speaking to us separately brought out a similar response, the shedding of tears. Whilst Oduro moved from sobbing to crying, Bekoe's was the direct cry out of his angst and disappointment at the outcome of the match.
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