Coach predicts Kotoko revival

Asante Kotoko coach Ernest Middendorp reckons the fabled Ghanaian side could be headed for a revival that would see them return to the list of leading African club sides.

The royal side from Kumasi were once a feared commodity in African football and ranked among the top club teams on the continent.

Their list of triumphs in African club competition includes two wins in the African Champions League and a further five appearances in the final, a feat unmatched by any other team challenging for Africa's top club prize.

The club has also produced many African stars, including Samuel Osei Kuffour from Bayern Munich. But their last success was in 1983, almost 20 years ago, and their last appearance in a final was in 1993.

Since then, the Porcupines have floundered in mediocrity and seen their position as Ghana's leading club taken away by Hearts of Oak from Accra. But this year German trainer Middendorp is convinced Kotoko are on the comeback trail, ably demonstrated on Saturday when they held South African champions-elect Santos to a thrilling 3-3 draw in their African Cup Winners' Cup tie.

The second round, first leg draw makes Kotoko hot favourites for the return leg in Kumasi on 28 April, where they will seek to ensure a place in August's quarter-finals.

"I started in April 2000 and the first six-seven months were just to find out about the players and try and put some systems in place. We changed the team almost completely and last year we started getting some consistency," Middendorp said.

New signings

"This year we have the same players, with maybe one or two new signings, and that is to our advantage. We know each other and everybody knows his position.

"The players were spoilt before but now Kotoko can move forward and go very far, not only in Ghana but internationally too.

"If a team from Ghana is organised then they should have no problems. But look at how Ghana's national team is struggling, only really because of poor organisation," he added.

Middendorp has his sights on this year's Cup Winners' Cup for starters: "We played against the champions elect from South Africa and it is a result we should be satisfied with," he said.

"But we had some bad defensive lapses and we also made some silly errors which could have cost us dearly.

"Three goals away is a good result for us and now we must win at home where we will have 60,000 supporters willing us on," Middendorp concluded.