Kotoko For Africa

TWO-TIMES African Club Champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko have declared that they will participate in next year's Africa Confederations Cup tournament.

Bashiru Hayford and Kwame Baah-Nuako, Head Coach and Communications Director of the club respectively made this known in separate interviews.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY GUIDE SPORTS in Kumasi, Bashiru Hayford said management of the club had realized that participating in the Africa tournament would be beneficial in terms of funds and exposure for the players.

The Porcupine Warriors automatically qualified for the tournament after finishing third behind arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and AshantiGold FC in last year's Onetouch Premier League.

In arriving at the decision, Coach Hayford said, management took into consideration the refurbished Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Kotoko's home ground.

“With the Baba Yara Stadium open, our teeming supporters will always fill the stands once we go to Africa, and this would enhance the financial position of the club. Also, the Africa experience would help improve the performance of the club on the local scene,” he noted.

Coach Hayford lauded management's decision, noting that going to Africa next year would also rekindle the spirit of the teeming supporters of the club.

He expressed satisfaction over the crop of players in his fold, promising that he would assemble a winning team to conquer Africa.

“Kotoko will make a significant impact in the Confederation Cup and I am highly convinced that with the crop of players in camp, we can lift the trophy for the first time in our history,” Coach Hayford remarked.

The Kotoko coach called for peace and unity among the rank and file of the club so as to ensure a successful season for Kotoko next year, giving the assurance that the club would be the team to beat both locally and on the African continent next season.

On his part, Kwame Baah-Nuako, Communications Director of Kotoko stated that the club would win the Africa Confederations Cup.

Speaking in an interview with 'Sometimer' Otuo Acheampong of Kessben Fm in Kumasi, Mr. Baah-Nuako said the club had recruited the best material to ensure a successful Africa campaign.

Meanwhile, ex-national star, Baba Amando has started training with Kotoko at the club's Ridge training pitch in Kumasi.

The nimble-footed player who recently pitched camp with the Fabulous Club is expected to add bite to the attacking machinery of Kotoko in the ongoing season.

From Fred J.A. Ibrahim Jnr., Kumasi.