Sports
Ambassador Quarcoo eulogises Alfred Kotey
IT was with great sadness on June 30 2020 to learn of the sudden demise of Alfred “Cobra” Kotey – who was one of my top talented boxers, during my tenure as President of the then Ghana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) in the 80s.
I am so touched by his passing which sad event is reported to have occurred in New York City, US, where he was receiving medical treatment. Lot of us on the boxing circuit thought Alfred could go right to the top in his division which he did. He was like a son to me; he was a likeable, cheerful, respectful young man who everyone loved.
Alfred got hooked to boxing at a very tender age and regularly trained at the Akotoku Academy Gym in Bukom and together with Ike Quartey formed the Whiz kids of Ghana Boxing and both were selected to join the national boxing team, Black Bombers.
Quickly emerging as one to keep an eye on, he compiled a 35-4 amateur record, and despite the relatively few bouts, he accomplished a lot, representing his country all over the world and reaching the quarter finals of the 1988 Seoul Olympics as a flyweight.
As is often the case with top amateurs, he decided to turn professional after returning from the Olympics, and had his first paid bout on November 26, 1988 sharing the undercard of a show at the Orion Cinema Hall in Accra with Olympic team-mate, and fellow debutant, Ike Quartey.
He was nicknamed ‘the Cobra’, and indeed, in his heyday, he could instill terror in anybody he came across with his speed and accurate punches. He was on a fast-track with ambitions to reach championship level in quick time. His professional boxing career reached its pinnacle in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
At 26 years old and probably at his peak, Kotey put on an excellent display, and became a world champion by out-boxing the Puerto Rican Rafael Del Valle. He really left no doubt, and won by unanimous decision.
Now based in United States, Kotey made title defences against Mexican Armando Castro and British champion Drew Docherty, before losing his world title on points to former World super bantamweight ruler, Daniel Jimenez in October of 1995.
After losing his bantamweight world title, I negotiated with the late Jose Sulaiman, then President of WBC and Kotey was giving a shot at the vacant WBC super bantamweight title. Less than seven weeks later, he was back in the ring in London ready to launch his assault on a new weight division – super bantamweight.
At York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, together with the WBC President, late Jose Sulaiman, I witnessed with joy from ringside when he captured the vacant WBC International title, out-scoring two-time world title-challenger Freddy Cruz.
Alfred Kotey did not only have the passion for the sport, but he showed a lot of discipline, dedication and commitment. His commitment saw him growing in the sport and this was envisaged by his results when he joined the paid ranks. He was a genuine role model.
Kotey achieved so much in his career. He held a Commonwealth, WBO, WBC International and WBF Intercontinental titles, and fought against some of the biggest names of his era. This is an enviable record.
He was a credit to us in the boxing fraternity. He would fight a lion if he had to with no fear, but he was brought up to be polite and respectful and that had been reflected by the amount of tribute pouring in to him. I am sad that we have lost him at such a stage as we have very few boxing trainers and coaches now in the country.
He still had a lot to give to the country and the world of boxing. It is a tragedy for his family, friends and the entire boxing fraternity that such a talent had been lost at such a young age.
Fare thee well, the Cobra, you were an exemplary sportsperson and source of inspiration who demonstrated the power of human spirit and determination. I am very proud of your achievements and hope that others can feel inspired by your boxing journey.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Attention will be at the Golden City Park in Berekum tomorrow as Hearts of Oak lock horns with Berekum Chelsea FC in a Ghana Premier League Matchday 6 game that promises an electrifying atmosphere.
Lying sixth on the league table with two wins and three draws, the Phobians visit a ground that has been favourable to them in recent times. In their last three visits to the Golden City Park, Hearts have amassed seven out of nine points, putting them in strong contention to win.
Head Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani says, “The team is making progress in its tactical identity despite the lack of goals, and this is something we are working on ahead of this game.”
Hearts will come face-to-face with former coach Samuel Boadu, whose side lies a distant 13th on the league table with a win and a draw from four games. Coach Boadu is yet to celebrate a victory over the Phobians since joining the Berekum lads and would hope this fixture marks a turnaround.
Ninth-placed Vision FC would trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem to play Bechem United, while new boys Hohoe United host Aduana FC at the Hohoe Sports Stadium.
Returnees Swedru All Blacks will welcome Basake Holy Stars to the Swedru Sports Stadium, with defending league champions Bibiani Gold Stars staying put at their backyard, the Dun’s Park, to welcome second-placed Heart of Lions FC on Monday.
Today at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa, Medeama SC will clash with Samartex FC in a Western derby. Other games scheduled for today would see Eleven Wonders FC host Karela United at the Swedru Sports Stadium, while Dreams FC face Nations FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
By Raymond Ackumey
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Ghana coach Otto Addo may not command the kind of fear and respect like Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique and others in the modern game, but in his small corner, he is gradually climbing the ladder to greatness in Ghana, Africa and the world at large.
The aforementioned coaches attained greatness with club sides and, therefore, open an argument over whether one is not comparing apples to oranges. But no matter how one looks at it, they are all coaches harbouring similar ambitions to attain greatness in their fields.
Otto Addo is one of the young and upcoming coaches holding a lot of promise and was getting experience with his association with Borussia Dortmund in Germany until his path was directed by a Ghana call.
Although he was born in Germany, Otto Addo’s association with Ghana football dates back to 1999, spanning a period of about seven years; commencing with a 5–0 rout of Eritrea on February 28. He gained international prominence when he joined the squad for the 2000 African Cup of Nations. He featured as a midfielder in the team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
But like it’s often said, a prophet is not recognised in his own home and his efforts partially went unnoticed. He’ll go into the annals as one of the Black Stars coaches to have been fairly or otherwise criticised not just by ‘football people’ but fans who doubted him.
His sack has been discussed at various platforms by people whose knowledge and tactical acumen about the game remains questionable. Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Adams, at one point openly stated his doubts over Otto Addo’s ability to actually deliver.
No coach would feel secured in such turbulent times, but coach Otto Addo kept his calm and composure. On the corridors of his employers, however, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku, openly rallied support for him, though a few ‘doubting Thomases’ still questioned his credentials.
That painted a picture of a people that forget easily and are quick to crucify. In a brief moment of adversity, Ghanaians forgot how Otto Addo was brought in to pluck qualification for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup from the jaws of the Super Eagles of Nigeria with a solitary goal over two legs.
The upshot of that feat was not one any Nigerian would want to remember. The scenes after the match were awfully chaotic, as fans vented their anger on facilities at the stadium. Back in Ghana, it was partying all night and day.
Otto Addo was labeled the football magician. He achieved something no Ghanaian coach had ever accomplished; a feat which Ghana with her all-time best teams could not attain. That was the climax to which Otto Addo took Ghana football, generating calls to start believing in the Ghanaian coach.
Following that to the World Cup proper was another story altogether. It was, or may have been, our poorest show at any of the four World Cup appearances. And just as it was stipulated in his contract, he bowed out after the Qatar World Cup to mind his Borussia Dortmund business with peace.
But as fate would have it, nature found a way to renew his romance with Ghana football after an unconvincing start to the America, Canada and Mexico dream World Cup under special advisor turned coach, Chris Hughton.
Ghana started the qualifiers on a winning note but not a convincing performance. It was saved by an Inaki Williams goal scored on the sixth minute of additional time against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The Black Stars then slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the Stade de Moroni to Comoros to heighten calls for a new technical direction.
Then stepped in Otto Addo when Ghana occupied the fourth position in Group I with three points but with the countries in the group evenly matched.
By Andrew Nortey
