I am not a Hearts of Oak supporter- Otumfuo

The Life Patron of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club, and King of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has lashed out to his critics who have branded him as a supporter of Accra Hearts of Oak, his club’s arch rival.

The Asantehene denied being a fan of Hearts of Oak when the Kotoko team, made up of management members, players, technical staff and supporters paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday, November 15.

Kotoko visited the team owner to present to him the MTN FA Cup trophy they won a fortnight ago after beating their arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak 3-1 in Tamale.

"I knew nothing about football and I have heard people complain that I am a staunch supporter of Hearts of Oak, meanwhile I was living abroad and if not for the virtue of being Asantehene, I would not have gotten so close to Kotoko and football. As I sit here I do not even know much about football rules and how it is played but Kotoko is part of the legacy I inherited and I am obliged to ensure the team achieves successes,” Otumfuo said.

Otumfuo urged the management to serve the club with commitment, sincerity and truth, for them to succeed.

He said all those who have managed the club and leveraged on it for personal gains have all failed in their careers, because the club is a ‘god and needs to be treated fairly.

“What I want to tell you is that my Kotoko is a deity, if you serve it with a clean heart, you will surely succeed. You can take a look around and find people who have served with a clean heart and those who have used Kotoko for their personal gains,” Otumfuo indicated.

“Don’t come near my Kotoko if you are not ready or don’t have clean heart. You can go and serve any other team in Ghana if money is your target,” His Majesty added.

The Asantehene advised the playing body to motivate themselves in all their contests, rather than relying on external motivation to win matches and trophies.

He said the Kotoko of yesteryear devoted themselves for the success of the team but not material or monetary gains.

“Why should you be promised GH 5,000 before beating Hearts in the MTN FA Cup final? My Kotoko I saw in the olden days is not the same I see today. Those days the players were playing for pride, but now these players want to be promised money before they win matches,” Otumfuo said.