Kotoko to jet off early

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) -- Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s journey to the final of the Cup Winners Cup competition has been a jagged one.

Dogged by numerous difficulties as connecting flights to honour away matches, Kotoko are making frantic efforts to ensure that their trip to North Africa is devoid of unforeseen problems.

Inspired by the ‘early bird catches the worm’ adage, Kotoko plan to jet off early to Casablanca to face Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) of Morocco for the first leg encounter. Barring any last-minute hitch, Kotoko are expected to depart Accra on Monday night for Europe before reconnecting to Casablanca, venue for next weekend’s crucial clash.

Travelling within Africa is often a nightmarish experience, and the bitter lessons from previous trips to Angola, Egypt and Congo informed Kotoko’s management to solicit the help of Youth and Sports Minister, Edward Osei Kwaku, for the release of the Presidential Jet in order to ease the usual travel difficulties.

Unfortunately, Kotoko’s status as Ghana’s only representative in international club competition could not guarantee them the use of the newly refurbished jet.

Available information indicates that the government’s Chief of Staff turned down Kotoko’s request. Instead, the Air Force was asked to release their Fokker F27 aircraft, which Kotoko reportedly turned down.

The club’s Accra Representative, Kwame Amoa-Bosompem, stated on Thursday that Kotoko were working out alternative options to travel to Casablanca right after honouring their last league match against Liberty Professionals in Kumasi, on Sunday.

With no direct commercial flight from Accra to North Africa, Kotoko have to embark on a trans-Atlantic journey through Europe before connecting to the Mediterranean port city.

Among the options to choose from are Swiss International Airlines, Alitalia and British Airways. Depending on which airline they settle on, Kotoko will move to either London, Zurich, Geneva or Milan before flying back to the continent. Hopefully, the club’s management would have settled the issue at an astronomical cost, (about $50,000 for the round trip). Sources close to the club say Kotoko will storm Morocco with a 30-man contingent, including 18 players.

Beyond the frustrating flight connection, Ralf Zumdick has other worries too. His is threatened by injuries to some key players and hopes to avoid limping over their last hurdle.

On Wednesday when they lost the league title to Hearts, Kotoko faced RTU without such players as Michael Osei, Shilla Alhassan, Isaac ‘Ninja’ Owusu, Stephen Oduro and skipper Godwin Ablordey who, according to Amoa-Bosompem, received serious knocks last Sunday at Prestea.

With the premiership title lost, Zumdick may rest his ace cards against Liberty on Sunday and travel to Casablanca with his full arsenal.

Next week Saturday’s first leg clash will have Camerounian referee Evehe Divine in charge, with his countrymen Endeng Zogo and Augustine Njoya assisting on the lines. The match kicks of at 9.30 pm (21.30 GMT).

Meanwhile, Kotoko’s opponents had smiles back on their faces. Wydad lifted the delayed 2001 FA Cup last Saturday with a 1-0 victory over MAS Fez. Mohamed Lansri scored the winner in the 113th minute of extra-time.