Kotoko Players Plead For Forgiveness

Kumasi Asante Kotoko defender, Ahmed Adams has, on behalf of the players, pleaded for forgiveness from fans of the club for their failure, in not being able to win the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League trophy nor securing a top four spot.

Ahmed Adams

Kotoko finished the league in fifth position, which is considered as a disappointment to many of its fans, especially after being in pole position to win the league at a point in the season.

The 23-year-old who played a crucial role in Kotoko’s setup, admitted the failure on the side of his playing mates.

Much was expected of them in the just-ended season after recording a splendid preseason.

He said: “It’s very painful, not being able to enter into the top four spot.

“I plead with the fans to forgive us after a very poor showing in this year’s league. Nonetheless, we promise them a better season next year and, we will definitely not let them them down.”

Adams also reiterated the need for continuous support from their fans as they represent the biggest shareholders of the club and their interest is very paramount to the playing body.

Kotoko Players Plead For Forgiveness

This Hearts Player Is The Toughest - Kotoko Defender

Kumasi Asante Kotoko defender, Ahmed Adams, has named Accra Hearts of Oak striker, Cosmos Dauda, as the toughest striker he came across in the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League season.

Ahmed Adams in action for Kotoko against bitter rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak

The 23-year-old was a significant player for Kotoko in the just-ended GPL, even though injury ruled him out of action in the latter stages of the season.

Adams expressed his admiration for Hearts top marksman who scored eight goals in last season’s campaign for Hearts to help them secure a spot in the top four.

He said: “Cosmos Dauda was one of the strikers that tormented me in this year’s league.

“I remember when we played Hearts at the Accra Sports Stadium, he was on top of his game and made things very difficult for me, he is a very good player”, he told Ashh Fm.

Adams was voted the 2014/15 Ghana Premier League Player of the Year by sports fans.

This Hearts Player Is The Toughest - Kotoko Defender

Kotoko Coach To Reunite With Liverpool"s Klopp

Asante Kotoko head coach, Michael Osei, has hinted at a possible reunion with Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp as he envisions an improvement in his technical knowledge of the game ahead of the 2016/17 Ghana Premier League.

Osei, who has been yearning for a substantive contract from management as head coach of the club, will be looking forward to build on his coaching abilities with his former Mainz 05 teammate, Jurgen Klopp.

He said: “The end of the GPL season certainly avails the opportunity for me to improve my knowledge, and  I’m working on a possible attachment with Liverpool FC.

“I hope all necessary arrangement would be put in place to facilitate my attachment with the club.”

The Kotoko trainer has been to Germany for various attachment courses, where he teamed with other developing coaches to upgrade their technical and tactical knowledge of the game.

 

Kotoko Coach To Reunite With Liverpool"s Klopp

Probe: Should Michael Osei Continue As Kotoko Manager?

Micheal Osei, in April, was named as interim coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko to replace then head coach, David Duncan who had been told to ‘step aside’, following the club’s poor start to the season.

His campaign for Kotoko has obviously been marred by all sorts of challenges that only made the club place fifth in the just-ended Ghana Premier League.

The club’s final position on the log will largely be considered ‘good’, especially after Kotoko is on record to have struggled from the bottom of the league table in the early stages of the season.

Osei, a former player himself, has won the league as a player in 1991 and 1992 and, as an assistant coach of Kotoko in the 2013/14 season. He certainly needs no introduction to the Kotoko fraternity, but does his mere familiarity with the club qualify him to be appointed as its substantive coach ahead of the 2016/17 season?

Most Kotoko faithfuls believe Osei has the credentials to make Kotoko redeem itself as one of the African greats, in terms of football.

Recently, Osei declared his readiness to step in as the substantive coach as he believes he is endowed with the requisite knowledge in football to lead Kotoko to another spell of greatness.

Notwithstanding that, some football enthusiasts have criticized his management style to be the rigid one, especially in terms of how he handles his players in order to get the best out of them and also his boldness in making decisions when it matters most, both on and off the field of play.

A living proof of this suspicion is his relationship with Kotoko defender, Samuel Kyere, who said on national radio that Osei disliked him because of his strong relationship with former coach, David Duncan which led to his demotion to the second team of the club.

So the question is; How many more players have issues with the coach but cannot say it for fear of suffering his wrath?

Malik Jabir’s presence around the Kotoko team also raises doubts as to whether Osei will be given a full mandate by management.

But Kotoko will certainly have a new look next season as the mandate of the current board has expired.

Probe: Should Michael Osei Continue As Kotoko Manager?

Kyere Sure of Kotoko-AshGold "Convenience Game"

Kotoko defender, Samuel Kyere has vehemently made a strong allegation about Kotoko’s 5-3 defeat against AshantiGold SC in week 28 of the Ghana Premier League.

The player, who was demoted to the second team by head coach, Micheal Osei, after showing gross insubordination, has revealed publicly, the various maneuverings that took place between the  coach, team captain and club chairman .

Kotoko led by 2-1 by the close of half time. But by a sudden change of happenings in the match, Kotoko lost the match by 5-3, the result aided AshGold to escape relegation.

Kyere has alleged the game could be a “fixed-match”.

“It is unbelievable for a team like Kotoko to take a two-goal lead and sit back and lose 5-3 at the end of the game,” Kyere said.

“After the first half, the coach spoke to the captain and after that, the game changed.

“For me, I suspect something fishy because everything changed after the first half. And even the coach decided to bench some players.”

Not long ago, New Ebubiase player, Prince Antwi, alleged that they were told to play it soft against Wa All Stars in week 26 of the GPL in a game they eventually lost.

Kyere Sure of Kotoko-AshGold "Convenience Game"

Osei Debunks Duncan Feud Claims

Interim Coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Michael Osei has stressed that he holds no grudge against David Duncan.

David Duncan was sidelined as the head coach of the club after they lost some critical points in the early part of the first round in the league, and Michael Osei was given the nod to turn their fortunes around, prompting allegations that Michael Osei was the chief architect who ensured things didn’t work out for his head coach.

However, Osei refuted the claims as he declared that there is no bad blood between him and his former boss.

“I never wished bad luck for David Duncan. I didnt like it when he was sacked but I had no control over it,” Michael said on Boss FM.

“I’ve never had any problem with him. I still talk to him day-in day-out.”

Asante Kotoko recovered from their early season relapse to finish in 5th position.

Osei Debunks Duncan Feud Claims

Rugby President Reluctant On Kotoko Return

Herbert Mensah has reaffirmed his love for Asante Kotoko, but was coy on whether he may want another shot at being at the helm of affairs at the club.

Herbert was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer by the then life patron of Kotoko, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II in 1999 to restore the success of earlier glorious days by implementing a 5-year-plan that included sponsorships and introduction of professional training facilities.

However, after failing to achieve the goals set by the club’s spiritual leader, Herbert vacated his position in 2003 and later became involved in the running of the club’s regional rivals, AshGold SC.

And in an exclusive interview with Happy FM’s Anopa Bosuo sports, the man once described by renowned journalist and President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Kwabena Yeboah, as “the greatest leader he has ever seen at the club due to his endeavor on and off the field” was reluctant in saying if he will welcome the idea of returning to the fold of the Porcupine Warriors.

“I love that club to bits and will always do, but I think I wouldn’t want to answer the question of me returning to the club,” he said.

“If you love Kotoko or Hearts, when things are not going as you would like, you definitely voice out your frustration. I remember before the club’s game against Hearts of Oak in Accra, I called some of the board members and also spoke to the players as well to enliven them, because by then, their morale was down after so many losses,” Herbert disclosed.

“I think I’m the only former chairman of the club who meets with Otumfuo on regular basis and it’s a privilege.

“I try to tell former leaders of the club to desist from negative utterances after their departure from the club because what would you do if you are called back to serve the club again, what would you do?

“I think that’s the mutual respect I share with Nana today, and there’s nothing Otumfuo tells me that I can’t do. I know the challenge now is to move the club forward, but I’m happy with what I do now and therefore I can’t answer to that.”

Herbert Mensah currently serves as president of the Ghana Rugby Association.

Rugby President Reluctant On Kotoko Return

Kotoko Sets Up Fund For Its Heroes

Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC, has set up a fund from which it [Kotoko] intends to insure the welfare of its old players, Mr. Paul Adu-Gyamfi, the Board Chairman, announced yesterday at the club’s 81st anniversary.

Contributions to the fund would be extracted from a percentage of gate proceeds, player transfers and donations.

Mr. Adu-Gyamfi expressed his disgust at the miserable lives some of the old players were living and spoke of the need for things to change so as to bring some comfort to them.

He indicated that as trailblazers, they worked to bring honour to the club and deserved to be rewarded for the hardwork, dedication and loyalty that had made Kotoko a dominant force in Africa.

He further rallied all stakeholders to commit conscious efforts to return Kotoko to its once fearsome, all-conquering side status.

Established in 1935, Kotoko, arguably Ghana’s most successful club, has won the CAF Champions League twice: 1970 and 1983, and five-time runners-up: 1967, 1971, 1973, 1982 and 1993.

Kotoko has won Ghana’s league 24 times, as well as, emerged the FA Cup champions on eight occasions and, was named as the most successful African club of the 20th century in 2010.

Kotoko Sets Up Fund For Its Heroes

GPL Match Report: Kotoko Held At Home

Kumasi Asante Kotoko kept their slim title hopes alive as they drew goalless at home to Berekum Chelsea.

With this draw, the Porcupine Warriors have leapfrogged their fierce rivals, Hearts of Oak, who were humiliated by three goals to one again, this time, by Bechem United.

Kotoko, as expected, started the game brightly, enjoyed good possession and created all the half goal chances.

And in the process, forced saves out of goalkeeper, John Mossi who at a point, had to stretch at full length to deny the Porcupine Warriors an opening goal.

With poor spectatorship, coach Michael Osei and his team appeared to be affected too as they laboured to break down a well-disciplined Solomon Odwo team.

The Blues have now picked four points off Kotoko this season. Whether or not it will affect Kotoko’s title hopes this season, remains to be seen.

GPL Match Report: Kotoko Held At Home

Jabir Assumes the Technical Director Position at Kotoko

Kumasi Asante Kotoko has appointed coach Malik Jabir as the new Club’s new technical advisor.

The former Black Star player will support current manager Michael Osei with his technical knowledge for the remaining eight matches in the 2015/2016 Ghana Premier league.

 

The experienced coach is expected to rejuvenate a declining Kotoko side who are yet to record a win in the second round

The coach is reported to have already started work as he has spotted at the training grounds of the Porcupine warriors.

Kotoko will host Dreams FC on Sunday in match week 23 of the GPL as they aim to get back to winning ways with Jabir and Osei on the bench.

 

Jabir Assumes the Technical Director Position at Kotoko

Kotoko is Spiritually Weak - Sarfo Gyamfi

Former Asante Kotoko midfielder Sarfo Gyamfi has deemed the current Kotoko team ‘spiritually weak’ and thinks things will go astray if they don’t seek spiritual upliftment as soon as possible.

 

The Black President, as he is being referred doesn’t believe in the assertion of Kotoko winning the 2015/2016 Ghana Premier league with this kind spiritless performance that encapsulate the current players at the club.

 

In an interview with Sunyani based radio station Success Fm, the former Black Stars player said ” truthfully and sincerely speaking it will be very difficult for Kotko to win the GPL title, because they are spiritual weak,they need to take proactive decision with regards to the spiritual upliftment so that it can make them rise again”.

 

Gyamfi also blasted the current squad of Kotoko whom he thought are not worthy of wearing a jersey of his beloved club.

 

Kotoko will host Dreams FC on Sunday in match week 23 of the GPL as they aim to get back to winning ways.

Kotoko is Spiritually Weak - Sarfo Gyamfi

Kotoko"s CEO Refutes Match Fixing Allegations By Bechem United

The Chief Executive Officer of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Lord Opoku Nti has vehemently refuted claims by the Public Relations Officer(P.R.O) of Bechem United, Bismark Danso after he allegedly claimed that two top officials of Kotoko asked them to play it soft in their FA Cup match because they were not financially endowed to represent Ghana in Africa’s club competition.

 

Kotoko subsequently lost 3-2 penalty after the two sides where tied up 1-1 after extra time.

 

“I was having a jovial discussion with the CEO of Bechem United Mr.king, where i told him they cant make it to Africa if even they should progress,so am very surprise as to this development,” he told Nyhira Fm.

 

“After all if they was even an intention to influence the match,the VIP section of the stadium will not be the appropriate place to do that,so am amazed over the baseless allegation being made by the P.R.O, i think he has an hidden agenda against me”.

 

Kotoko will travel to Techiman to face Techiman City in the second round fixtures that kicks start this weekend.

 

Bechem United after their triumph over Kotoko will face off against Wa Rockets in the semi finals of the MTN FA Cup to be played next month

Kotoko"s CEO Refutes Match Fixing Allegations By Bechem United

Kotoko Threaten To Boycott President Cup

Kumasi based side Asante Kotoko have threaten to boycott their President Cup match against Hearts of Oak scheduled for July 1, sighting reasons of the inaccuracy with regards to timing on the part of organizers.

The Porcupine Warriors are said to have complained about the date of the game due to their Premier League game against WA All Stars on June 29  which automatically makes up a very tight schedule against their rivals who will be seeking a revenge after their loss last month

The Reds are said to have notified GHALCA about the date of the game which comes just two days after their League game against WA All Stars at the Babayara Sports Stadium.

“Everything is set but Kotoko have complained they won’t be able to travel all the way from Kumasi after their League game against WA All Stars,” GHALCA spokesperson Symtimer Acheampong told Accra FM.

“But we are putting in place measures to ensure they honour the match.”

The President Cup is being played to commemorate Ghana’s Republic day celebration.

Kotoko Threaten To Boycott President Cup

Micheal Osei Comments After Kotoko"s Defeat Against New Edubiase

Interim Manager for Asante Kotoko Michael Osei has expressed his disappointment following his side’s 0-1 defeat at home to  New Edubiase on Saturday.

The Porcupine Warriors as they are referred to couldn’t find the back of the net after squandering numerous chances that fell to them.

This defeat is a major setback to the interim Coach who was ready to pick up the mantle as head coach if given the opportunity by management.

In a post match press conference Michael Osei was furious about his side’’s missed chances.

He said “It’s rather unfortunate not to pick at least a point from this game, we player a very good game but that’s what happens when you don’t take your chances”.

New Edubiase where bottom prior this match  and got the only goal of the match through a blistering strike  from  Prince Antwi in 21st minute strike.

 

Coach Osei will at least have one last shot of reinstating a strong statement to management of being considered for the coaching job when his side face their biggest rival of all time rivals Accra Hearts of Oak in a titanic clash on may 2nd in match day 10 of the Ghana Premier League.

Micheal Osei Comments After Kotoko"s Defeat Against New Edubiase

Just Pay Duncan Off - Rev. Osei Kofi Urges

Legendary Asante Kotoko star, Rev. Osei Kofi has urged management of the club to pay coach David Duncan, his entitlements to bring an end to the disturbing issues, arising out of the decision of the management to sack him. 

Duncan is expected sue Kotoko, after the management of the Club asked him to step aside as head coach.

The situation has since ignited confusion between the coach and his employers who have asked assistant coach Michael Osei to take over.

“This issue should be settled peacefully. If they wanted to sack him they should just do so and pay him his entitlements, if not then they should allow him to stay on as head coach of the side,” he said in an interview.

Kotoko  next game is against  Liberty Proffesionals on Sunday, 10 April  where they will be hoping to secure their second victory of the season.

Just Pay Duncan Off - Rev. Osei Kofi Urges