Sports
Hearts aim to worsen Kotoko’s plight
Psychologically, Kumasi Asante Kotoko may not be in a perfect mood to play their archrivals Accra Hearts of Oak in the Ghana Premier League.
But, unfortunately, the Phobians would be their guests tomorrow at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in a tough Matchday 22 clash.
Kotoko has endured some torrid moments lately, the latest of which the Head Coach Karim Zito was sacked.
That followed a string of poor results culminating in the wide gap between them and league leaders Medeama and a defeat to Aduana FC to exit the FA Cup championship.
They must, however, find a way to psyche themselves up for their biggest game in local football as Hearts come to town with high hopes of avenging recent defeat suffered in the hands of the Porcupine Warriors.
Interestingly, both sides have not been at their best this season; all struggling to keep pace with the likes of Medeama, Goldstars and others.
Although the Baba Yara Stadium is Kotoko’s fortress, Hearts have found joy in matches there and would hope that piece of history would be kind to them again.
In other venues, defending champions, Bibiani Gold Stars would have all to play for when they welcome Basake Holy Stars at the Bibiani Dun’s Park tomorrow.
At the Berekum Golden City Park, relegation-threatened Berekum Chelsea will host Kpando Hearts of Lions in a game expected to be full of thrills.
The Berekum lads have found the going extremely tough and have turned their home ground to their main source for points, having performed poorly on the road.
Heart of Lions would offer a stiff opposition capable of worsening the situation of the hosts as they aim for a decent finish.
Hohoe United started their maiden season impressively but find themselves struggling for survival in just the second round.
At their Hohoe base, they can breathe some life into their campaign if they are able to defeat stubborn Nations FC today.
Elsewhere, Bechem United will face Young Apostles at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem; Dreams FC will welcome Karela United to the Tuba Astro Turf in a game of equals while Swedru All Blacks host Samartex FC at the Swedru Stadium.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
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STORIES about Accra Great Olympics—once a formidable football club in the Greater Accra Region and second only to their city rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak—no longer command interest from fans. Narratives about the club are now presented as mockeries or sarcasms, rather than any serious agenda like aiming to win the Ghana Premier League (GPL), the FA Cup or even qualify to any of the CAF Clubs championship.
With accolades, Olympics will occupy the top spot without struggle. Interesting jargons are coined easily and aligned with the club and it is embraced by all.
“Olympics can fall 10 times but will rise up the same number of times. Olympics supporters represent hope and longsuffering. Despite the many disappointments, supporters of the club have the hope that one day, the team would rise up. This is what has kept the club going.”
Rev Dr Odonkor was on point on the Olympics situation which managers of the team appear to have no clue as to how to rescue it. But in his view, there’s still hope for the club. Matches are played in virtually empty stadiums.
But according to Rev Dr Odonkor, giving up on Olympics must not be an option. Questions however, on the lips of many is how long fans can continue to endure the hardship as things deteriorate with time.
Just a day after the sermon encouraging followers to remain hopeful, the worst happened as two big wigs of the club, Mr. Kudjoe Fianoo, an experienced football administrator, and Richard Alagidede resigned from their roles as Chief Executive and General Manager, respectively. The action of the two has not surprised majority of their followers—knowing their calibre, what they stand for and a perceived structural defect of the club.
Such is the unfortunate situation of Ghana’s Wonder Club. Weeks in and out, the club’s fans sit on tenterhooks for 90 minutes watching the team struggle to avoid relegation from the second tier of Ghana football—Division One League. On a league table of clubs, in all of these, the fans of the club bear the taunts of opposing supporters. One dares not wear an Olympics replica jersey and you become an instant hero for displaying courage.
The Olympics situation has even become a subject of study as was witnessed at the Osu Eben-Ezer Presbyterian Church last Sunday, where the district minister in charge, Rev Dr. Odonkor, expertly captured the Olympics story in a sermon titled ‘The AGOSU PHILOSOPHY.’
In the sermon to mark his induction as District Minister, Rev Dr Odonkor, a staunch Olympics fan, described the club as a ‘reservoir of hope’ and the supporters as longsuffering—a narrative with accolades, Olympics will occupy the top spot without struggle.
The problem of the Wonder Club has been with finance, making it extremely difficult to sign high-profile players whose influence can affect the club’s fortunes. Saddest of all, the club has lost its appeal to both fans and players as matches are played in virtually empty stadiums. Therefore, there must be no turning back. This is certainly the time for all and sundry to join forces to rescue the club that is known as the ‘Landlords.’
In this difficult time, board and management must take a second look at its structure and mend the parts that are broken. As the men in the boardroom, they know and understand the problems facing the club. Currently, the failure of the club is at their doorstep and if Olympics sunk further, they would go down in history as those that extinguished the flame on the ‘Dade’ touch. If it means getting new people with fresh ideas, then so be it.
By Andrew Nortey
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Abdul Karim Zito Kabutey has resigned from his position as head coach of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club with immediate effect.
The club’s management confirmed the development and announced that it has accepted his resignation.
Management expressed appreciation for his service to the club and wished him well in his future endeavours.
In a brief statement, the club did not give reasons for the decision but assured supporters that steps are being taken to ensure continuity.
Asante Kotoko indicated that details about the new technical direction of the club, including coaching arrangements, will be communicated in due course.
The resignation comes as the club continues its campaign in domestic competitions, with management expected to outline the next steps in the coming days.
By: Jacob Aggrey
