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?

Kotoko U-17 Side Beat Senior Team 2-0 In Practice Game

Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s U-17 side on Wednesday beat their senior colleagues 2-0 in a thrilling practice game played at their Adako Jachie training grounds.

Goals in either half by Michael Awuah and Frank Kodua settled matters for the development side who are being groomed to take over as future leaders of the main team.

The senior Kotoko side missed a second half penalty through Samuel Kyere as they went down to a rather embarrassing defeat ahead of their Ghana Premier League (GPL) game with Bechem United in Kumasi on Sunday.

Coach Michael Osei handed starts to Felix Annan, Ata Kusi, Emmanuel Asante, Samuel Kyere, Kwadwo Poku, Halipha Sedogo, Michael Yeboah, Emmanuel Osei and Seidu Bancey before introducing Stephen Oduro and Kwame Boateng to give his fringe players an opportunity to increase their fitness levels.

But in the end, it was a rather unproductive exercise for the seniors and it remains to be seen how many of them will in involved in Sunday’s game Bechem United as they seek the win that could take them top of the ladder if other results go their way.

Kotoko are second on the GPL log with 31 points after 18 games, just one point behind the leaders Wa All Stars who will be away to WAFA at Sogakope also on Sunday.

A win for the Porcupines at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi will see them top the table for the first time this season if All Stars fail to win at the Red Bull Arena.

Kotoko U-17 Side Beat Senior Team 2-0 In Practice Game