Kotoko can rise to the occasion – Coach Sarpong

Coach Joseph E. Sarpong, a former coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, has said, he is confident the club, can qualify to the quarter finals of this year’s Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Confederations Cup competition.

Coach Sarpong in an interview with the GNA Sports said, it was not going to be an easy game for Kotoko on Sunday against Zambian club, Zesco United, but added that, Kotoko was equal to big occasions like this.

“It’s a mission impossible, but can be made possible. This is Kotoko and the actors for the team, are expected to have strong mental fortitude for big games like this. They must approach this game tactically right and must be focused on getting a positive result,” he said.

The former national team coach however noted that, Sogne Yacouba’s absence would be devastating for the team, but urged other players to come to the party and make a name for themselves.

“Sogne Yacouba is the star in the setup and has been the heartbeat of the team together with Emmanuel Gyamfi. But Kotoko have equally good players, who were registered for the competition. So this is the time for them to prove that if given the chance they can also perform well. They must be able to say one day that, in the absence of Yacouba, they qualified the team to the quarter finals,” he said.

Ghana’s sole representatives in this year’s CAF club competition need nothing but an away win in Ndola against Group C bottom placed team, Zesco United to book a place in the next stage.

Al Hilal of Sudan who are on eight points and sitting second in the table would host group leaders Nkana FC who are on nine points.

The team has left the shores of Ghana on Tuesday to prepare ahead of the crucial encounter on Sunday at 16:00 GMT.