Razak fires first shot as....

...Kotoko prepares for Hearts next Sunday
Coach Abdul Razak, Technical Director of Kumasi Asante Kotoko is beaming with confidence after his side's lone goal victory over Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals on Saturday, brushing aside a possible threat by rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak, as the two meet next Sunday in the LG Top Four Tournament.

It is the second successive victory for the 1978 African Footballer of the Year, since taking over the coaching job with his former club, Kotoko.

He told the GNA Sports after Saturday's crunch game that Hearts would definitely be added to Kotoko's victims at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The "Golden Boy" admits though, that the encounter with bitterest rivals Hearts would be his biggest test yet. But the coach takes solace in the fact that he guided a Malian Premier side Stade Malian to beat virtually the same squad that the Phobians are likely to parade next Sunday.

Kotoko top the LG Top Four Standings with a maximum six points and a win against Hearts would brighten the club's chances of a pre-season trophy. He told the GNA "we are plunging straight into training by Tuesday morning to strategise for the big game".

Asked whether the presence of Bernard Don Boretey, Charles Taylor and perhaps Emmanuel Osei Kuffour would not be a bother to him, the "Golden Boy said, "they will be contained".

"All these players were there when I led Stade Malien to defeat them right here at the Accra Sports Stadium, the story could be the same; you know".

Commenting on his side's lone goal victory, the coach said, "I am proud of my boys. We are not there yet; for we still have more room for improvement".

With tears rolling down his cheeks, Razak said his players played to his game plan and "I believe we can go places".