Olympics bemoan Kotoko's loss

Accra Great Olympics are sad about the inability of Kumasi Asante Kotoko to win the African Cup Winners' Cup.

Richard Oblitei Solomon, chairman of the club said the result of the match was a major blow to the Ghanaian game and the premier league in particular as it would have received a great turnaround in terms of patronage and spectatorship if Kotoko had won.

He said the Ghalca Top Four Tournament which is next on the soccer calendar would have been turned into a soccer carnival by the thousands of Kotoko supporters, their sympathisers and admirers and the effect would have spilled over to the league next season and all clubs would have benefited from it.

Solomon said though it is lamentable that the cup had slipped through the hands of the Porcupine Warriors they must feel honoured to have played in the finals which in itself, is a great achievement that underscores the greatness of Kotoko in Africa.

The Olympics chairman advised the rank and file of the management, players and supporters of Kotoko not to be downhearted but to re-strategise and launch a more determined campaign to win the cup, adding that "there will always be the opportunity in the future to capture the ultimate in African football."

Solomon advised soccer administrators and indeed all football lovers to support any club that represents the country in an international competition to succeed because such triumphs would fortify the league and all clubs would derive immense benefits from a highly rated competition.

He said despite the result the contribution of Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak to the development of Ghana football cannot be ignored. The Olympics chairman congratulated the Porcupine Warriors for their brave challenge even in defeat and wished them a better luck in their next international competition.