I wondered why professional players who are probably the best paid footballers in the country needed a tete-a-tete with Opemsoc before they could think and think and think wisely. It was very clear that they had wanted the head coach Ogum out of the club for criticising them for the consistent poor performances.
Many disagreed with Manhyia for even thinking of letting Prosper Ogum remained at post as the head coach of Asante Kotoko when the club failed to record a single win in 7 games from Week 20 to 26 in the 23-24 season. Asante Kotoko lost 6 and drew 1 pushing them far away from the top four.
The team’s visit to Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll’s Palace restored hope and remembered the playing body what they are supposed to do but it was too late for them to hunt down Samartex, Accra Lions, Berekum Chelsea and Aduana Stars for the title.
The Porcupine Warriors eventually finished 6th with 12th points seperating them and the winners, Samartex SC.
The Patron of the club decided to sack all the players and brought in new ones at the end of last season. More than 20 players left and recruitment got underway.
New keeper, new defenders, new midfielders and new attackers were signed within a very short period. They showed glimpses in the Democracy Cup in the 2-1 win over perrenial rivals Accra Hearts of Oak with Congolese International Ndongani Gilbani announcing his presence to the Fabulous family.
The pre-season was so good but Kotoko was defeated 2-1 in the commissioning of the TNA park in Tarkwa against Medeama SC. That match gave Kotoko’s fans a huge hope because they were scintillating.
The club has progressed immensely since the commencement of the season with expectations getting higher game after game from the fans.
Prosper Narteh Ogum’s side has won four out of the 6 games played so far with narrow 1-0 victories over Karela, Nsoatreman, Accra Lions and defending champions Samartex and drawing the other two (Berekum Chelsea and Young Apostles).
Karela was already a bogey side for Asante Kotoko after they won twice and drew one last season against Fabulous. Kotoko opened the new season with a 1-0 win in Nalerigu.
Nsoatreman beat Kotoko for the first time in the GPL last season. It was a home and away victories but Kotoko has already revenged.
Accra Lions also won for the first time against the Porcupine Warriors (3-2) in the second round of the 23-24 season and Kotoko has beaten them already in the season.
Samartex via Emmanuel Keyekeh enjoyed a historic first win over Asante Kotoko and Fabulous narrowly beat them over the weekend in Obuasi.
Everything points to the fact that Manhyia’s decision to keep faith in Prosper Ogum was right and ought to be praised because the coach has already led the team to conquer most of the foes that troubled them last season.
After Week 7, Asante Kotoko has a game in hand against the struggling Legon Cities but sit in second place with just a point behind leaders Bibiani Gold Stars.
Kotoko’s defence of Ndongani Gilbani, Lord Amoah, Patrick asiedu and Joseph Ablor have been so solid to the extent that they have conceded just two goals in over 540 minutes.
Senior Citizen Justice Blay has showed a fantastic leadership by proving that he’s indeed one of the best versatile players in the country. He has been helping the team in midfield and defence properly.
22-year-old former Accra Great Olympics’ forward Albert Amoah has scored 3 golas so far which represents 50% of Asante Kotoko’s goals. He has won a whooping 9 points for the Porcupine Warriors and it’s so incredible for the new signing’s personal growth.
Micheal Kyei Dwamena and Emmanuel Antwi have all found the back of the net from midfield positions so far.
The season is extremely young for anyone to talk about the title but the Porcupine Warriors have showed that they can fight for it.
Seeing Kotoko triumphing over some of the teams they struggled against last season in the early stage of the season is something that we should not take for granted.
Teams have dared to break them down so far but Prosper Ogum has psychologically worked on the mentalities of his players and they now believe that no team in the country is better than them.
Consistency and focus are the two key words they will need for this trip because they will definitely have a challenger along the way.
Bibiani Gold Stars have stepped up and Medeama will always be around for the title. Defending champions Samartex has not hit last season’s standard but the Timber Giants will pose a huge threat once they are able to discover their mojo back.
Manhyia deserves huge praise from the Porcupine Warriors family because they knew all they were doing. How many teams on the continent wil keep faith in their head coach after failing to win any of 7 games that pushed them outside the top four?
We are only waiting to see how they will react when they are beaten.
The season is too young but Manhyia’s decision to keep Ogum has been so perfect so soon for the Oseikrom-based club.
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