Kumasi, April 1, GNA - The Management of Kumasi Asante Kotoko F/C has directed the head coach of the Club, Paa Kwesi Fabien to proceed on leave. Mr Jarvis Peprah, a management member told newsmen in Kumasi on Thursday that the leave takes effect from Wednesday, March 31, and that the coach was expected back after six months of rest.

The management, he said, had consequently instructed assistant coach Johnson Smith to stand in.

Mr Peprah said the decision was to allow Coach Fabien time to take off some of the stress, having worked so hard since last year.

He said they were confident that Smith would help inject vibrancy into the game of Kotoko because he is well-versed in the team's philosophy. Coach Fabien took over as Head of the Technical Team of Kotoko in September, last year but had since failed to live up to expectation, fuelling agitation among the supporters for his dismissal.

Whilst some of the supporters accuse him of incompetence others blame him of bias against some players and fielding only his favourites for matches. The 'Porcupine Warriors' currently lie on the 10th position on the Premier League table with 32 points and face an uphill task as the League enters the final stage with five matches to go. Mr Peprah said he was hopeful that the management would be vindicated by the decision.