Abdul Razak defends 2003 league title feat, squashes bribery allegations

Former Asante Kotoko coach Abdul Razak insists he genuinely won the 2003 Ghana Premier League and discounted claims by then-chairman Sylvester Asare Owusu that referees were bribed to favour the club.

The 1978 African Footballer of the Year was making a return to the local as a trainer and he led the Porcupine Warriors to their first league title in ten years.

But that was overshadowed by comments by the chairman that they manipulated some referees to aid their title triumph.

Razak claims he built a squad with the requisite credentials after assembling a squad comprising goalkeepers George Owu and Louis Quainoo.

The outfield players were Aziz Ansah, Godfred Yeboah, Daniel Yeboah, Daniel Acquah, Joseph Hendricks, the late Michael Asante and Yusif Chibsah

Some in-form players were Edmund Owusu Ansah, Stephen Oduro, Charles Taylor, Michael Osei, Frank Osei, Shilla Alhassan and Nana Arhin Duah.

Razak, nicknamed Golden Boy told Graphic Sports, the excuse by Asare-who has been installed the Bantamahene- was lame and to a cover up for his administration poor financial record.

''After Kotoko won the 2003 league and the Top 4 Cup, Otumfuo invited the management, then headed by Mr Sylvester Asare Owusu to the Manhyia Palace to render accounts of its stewardship and that took management by surprise.

''In their quest to cover up for their failure to render proper accounts, they said they bought matches during the league.

''What happened in 2003 could have landed Kotoko in serious trouble if it had happened in any jurisdiction but it ended at the palace without any punishment.''

''Before God and man, it never happened. I can never lie to you and the nation, and so far as I am concerned, nothing of that sort happened when I took over the coaching job of Kotoko.''