When Charles Kwabla Akonnor was appointed Asante Kotoko head coach in October, his history with archrivals Accra Hearts of Oak became a major talking point. Many Asante Kotoko fans became suspicious of the management team that sorted out the strange appointment of someone who had had past dealings with their eternal rivals.

The fans preferred a die-hard Kotoko insider whose disgust for the Accra club brimmed with fire and blood. A hard-nosed figure who despised anything rainbow and treated every encounter with the Phobians as a match to die for.

Akonnor, a man of very balanced temperament was burdened with fans expectations and issues of acceptability when he took over the reins. Issues with his body language and team structure amid impatience from inconsiderate critics set a rough patch in his early days.

However, the narrative has changed with the embrace the former Hearts of Oak coach is relishing, especially after qualifying the club to the money zone of the CAF Confederations cup this year.

The fan response after the win over Zesco United yesterday in the Confederation Cup further fortified the newfound affection between Akonnor and the fans he was brought in to delight.