GHANA’s two-time Africa clubs champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, bounced back into contention in the continental arena last Saturday after scaling over their first hurdle amidst the drama and intrigues associated with away battles.
Following a 4-2 aggregate victory over stubborn Angolan side, Athletico Sonangol, the Porcupine Warriors underlined their determination to re-assert themselves in Africa via the Cup Winners Cup competition.
For once, the Ghanaians were in their fabulous best in Namibie where they survived a fierce psychological warfare and managed to hypnotise their opponents after recovering on two occasions with clinical strikes from their new-found exciting Nana Arhin Duah and hard-running Shilla Alhassan.
For the massive supporters of Kotoko who had anticipated the team’s qualification after the 2-0 commanding lead in Kumasi a fortnight earlier, they will grab this victory with both hands, especially after being kept in the dark for three uneventful years without any continental stuff to relish.
In 1998 when Kotoko last tasted continental action, it was El-Masry of Egypt who rocked their boat at the quarter-final stage of the same competition.
The most refreshing aspect of Kotoko’s victory is the fact that it has more than compensated for the complete gloom and despair which would have been otherwise hanging over the entire nation by now following the elimination of the other two continental campaigners, Accra Hearts of Oak and Obuasi Goldfields.
But the reality on the ground is that Kotoko’s journey to fame has just begun as they will again be storming the Southern African sub-region at the one-eighth stage with a crucial battle against Santos of South Africa. And quite contrary to the one-sixteenth draw, the Ghanaians will be holding a second leg home trump card as they are billed to play their opponents first in Johannesburg, possibly exactly three weeks from hence.
Absolutely, the mere mention of this clash readily brings into memory the fierce rivalry existing between Ghana and South Africa.
Who knows, perhaps Kotoko might hold the key to breaking the South African invincibility this time around as they currently parade a solid squad whose confidence has soared after passing their first test. With their qualification, Kotoko emphasised that their “rebuilding” process is now over as they now launch into the next phase of searching for all manner of silverwares, both domestically and internationally, to decorate the various rooms.
On a more interesting note, the Santos-Kotoko duel slated for April 12-14 will be characterised with euphoria and fanfare as it comes off a few days ahead of the second CAF Awards ceremony scheduled for Johannesburg on April 16.
That will be the occasion when Ghanaian nominees including coach E. K. Afranie, Samuel Osei Kuffour, Derek Boateng, Prince Amoako and the Black Satellites will be on parade to wrestle with the other contenders for some prestigious awards.
Until then, the current carnival prevailing in the Kotoko camp following their advancement is expected to continue while the management, technical staff and playing body brace up for the challenges ahead.
