Veteran Ghanaian journalist Osei Owusu Bempah has disclosed that Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko SC does not have quality players in what he terms Category A players.
He argued that, due to poor management the Ghana Premier league record holder’s (25) have failed with better player recruitments leading to the inability of Kotoko players commanding a starting berth at any of the national teams.
The Porcupine Warriors historically is regarded as one of Ghana’s most successful club, getting named IFFHS club of the century but have in recent years found it difficult to make a significant impact in African competitions not just the domestic league.
According to Bempah, the Ghanaian heavyweight are struggling to attract and develop top-quality players who can compete at the highest level, particularly on the continental stage.
In an interview with LUV FM, the staunch Kotoko supporter expressed disappointment in how the club is being run recently. Failing to attract topnotch players in the league and Africa.
“Kotoko doesn’t have Category A players who can start in any of Ghana’s national teams,” he stated.
“In 1982, the Black Stars won the last African Cup of Nations in the semifinal game against Algeria. I think eight Kotoko players played in that game, including substitutes.
“Today, I don’t remember the last time a Kotoko player started a game, even for the Black Stars. We’re struggling to even get players in the local Black Stars, not to mention the national team and some of the other juvenile teams. It’s quite sad,” he added.
“I think they must start with the ownership, investment is very key, and proper structuring of the management and organisational structure of Kotoko is also very key. Without that, you cannot get the results.
“Teams like ASEC, Zamalek, and Al Ahly and those teams are doing what they are doing because they have proper management; they don’t recruit coaches anyhow. They don’t recruit players anyhow,” he noted.
“Currently, Kotoko, to me, doesn’t even have category A players in the team, players who are good enough to start for any of the national teams,” he stated.
Asante Kotoko SC few weeks ago, fired their head coach Abdul Karim Zito and sits 5th on the league standing after week 22 with 35 points.
He argued that, due to poor management the Ghana Premier league record holder’s (25) have failed with better player recruitments leading to the inability of Kotoko players commanding a starting berth at any of the national teams.
The Porcupine Warriors historically is regarded as one of Ghana’s most successful club, getting named IFFHS club of the century but have in recent years found it difficult to make a significant impact in African competitions not just the domestic league.
According to Bempah, the Ghanaian heavyweight are struggling to attract and develop top-quality players who can compete at the highest level, particularly on the continental stage.
In an interview with LUV FM, the staunch Kotoko supporter expressed disappointment in how the club is being run recently. Failing to attract topnotch players in the league and Africa.
“Kotoko doesn’t have Category A players who can start in any of Ghana’s national teams,” he stated.
“In 1982, the Black Stars won the last African Cup of Nations in the semifinal game against Algeria. I think eight Kotoko players played in that game, including substitutes.
“Today, I don’t remember the last time a Kotoko player started a game, even for the Black Stars. We’re struggling to even get players in the local Black Stars, not to mention the national team and some of the other juvenile teams. It’s quite sad,” he added.
“I think they must start with the ownership, investment is very key, and proper structuring of the management and organisational structure of Kotoko is also very key. Without that, you cannot get the results.
“Teams like ASEC, Zamalek, and Al Ahly and those teams are doing what they are doing because they have proper management; they don’t recruit coaches anyhow. They don’t recruit players anyhow,” he noted.
“Currently, Kotoko, to me, doesn’t even have category A players in the team, players who are good enough to start for any of the national teams,” he stated.
Asante Kotoko SC few weeks ago, fired their head coach Abdul Karim Zito and sits 5th on the league standing after week 22 with 35 points.
