Veteran Richard Kingson eyes shock Kotoko deal

Former Black Stars goalkeeper, Richard Kingson, is still holding on to his childhood dream of featuring for Kumasi Asante Kotoko before he finally hangs his gloves after over two decades of active football.

He is not sure of when he intends to hold talks with the management of the Porcupine Warriors but insists that dream will materialise.

The former Accra Great Olympics faithful told his friends at Golden Tulip, Kumasi City, ahead of the World XI versus Kotoko Unity Match at the Baba Yara Stadium last Wednesday night that that dream was still alive.

Speaking in his local dialect, Ga, Kingson said each time he came to Kumasi; that dream comes alive to the extent that he wished he was in the red jersey of Kotoko.

Meanwhile, the former Black Stars goalkeeper was the toast of fans during the match with his superlative performance and agility, bringing back fond memories of his heydey.

As if rehearsed, the entire stadium re-echoed in unison ‘Olele for Gabon 2017,’ apparently calling for his inclusion in the Ghana squad for the 2017 AFCON.

He pulled up some amazing saves to reduce the goal margin for the star-studded World XI side which eventually lost 1-4 to Kotoko.

Despite the heavy defeat, Olele, as Kingson is popularly called, only conceded a goal in his 45 minutes spell in the post for the Stars as he frustrated and intimidated the young Kotoko squad in the first half.

Unfortunately, another veteran Black Stars goalkeeper, Abukari Damba, failed to maintain the same standard as he gifted Kotoko three goals in the second half in a disappointing almost empty stadium.

Former English international and Bolton Wanderers bulky striker, Emile Heskey, scored a class-act in the 28th minute after skipper Stephen Appiah had rounded up the Kotoko defence.

Heskey, with his back facing the post and almost missing out, made a quick turn and struck with his unfamiliar left foot to displace goalkeeper Felix Annan for the opener.

Kotoko’s new signing and one-time talisman of AshantiGold, Emmanuel Osei, responded 15 minutes later with a clinical finish to end the first half 1-1.

The World XI team, which featured a fairly older and weary generation in the first half, including a Dutchman of Ghanaian descent, George Boateng, former Manchester United striker, Dwight Yorke, former Arsenal and English international, Sol Campbell, managed to hold their own against the aggressive Kotoko squad.

Kotoko’s Bennett Ofori scored a second-half hat-trick within a 13-minute spell as Cameroonian international, Alex Song, and Elikem Kisseih appeared tired at the rear.