Aduana, Kotoko warned over huge promises for CAF club competitions

Sports Psychologist and Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast Professor Mintah has warned Asante Kotoko and Aduana Stars over the excessive promises made to the players ahead of this weekend’s CAF club clashes.

The learned psychologist who doubles as a football coach has indicated that the timing of the promises and the value of the items involved isn’t good enough to motivate the side to win their games.

Professor Mintah, who was once the head coach of the Black Stars B and the assistant to Maxwell Konadu at the main Black Stars in 2014, admits that it is always essential to motivate players to give out their best during matches but the timing of the motivation could yield negative results.

“Ideally, motivation is always important but that should be done at the preparation phase.

Many times, people wait until the day of the match or a few days to the clash before rolling out their motivation packages. But that is not the best. It must start at the beginning so that athletes (footballers) can give their best at training,” he told GHANAsoccernet.com

“Clubs must know that the motivation does not play matches but preparation does. So if they wait till the end before coming out with the packages, it’s good but not the best.”

The University lecturer added that despite the fact that motivation is meant to elicit positive results, timing can trigger a negative response instead.

“Many people think motivation is only meant to yield positive results but it has negative implications if not handled well.

He argues that in cases where high motivational packages are set for players, it ends up putting a lot of pressure on players, derailing their efforts and thwarting their targets.

“In cases where high packages are promised players, it puts a lot of pressure on them and they end up not getting the results. With the packages in mind, the players are in a rush to get the job done to get whatever they are promised and they end up not getting it,” he added.

Professor Mintah’s call came following a pledge by the Executive chairman of Asante Kotoko Dr. Kwame Kyei to reward the entire playing body a two bedroom apartment each should they win this year's CAF Confederation Cup as well as a qualification bonus of Gh¢ 20,000 if they make it to the group stage of the competition.

Besides, the Patron of the Greater Accra Regional Circles Council (GARCC) of Asante Kotoko Christopher Demanya has also promised the club a brand new bus should they qualify for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup competition.

Despite all these promises, the chief of Abrankese, a nearby town to Kumasi has also promised each player a plot of land if they win the Confederation Cup.

On the side of Aduana Stars, each player has been promised $2000 if they win against Libyan side Al Tahady, as well as a piece of land and 200 bags of cement from the Patron of the club Osagyefo Nana Agyemang Badu II with the coach also standing the chance of getting a brand new Land Cruiser if the side wins the Champions League.

But Professor Mintah believes that the timing of all these promises isn’t the best and the clubs risk not having the best from their players and technical team.