Sports News of Saturday, 16 February 2019

Source: kickgh.com

Kotoko to face Egyptian club Pyramids FC to mark Otumfuo's 20th anniversary

Kumasi Asante Kotoko squad Kumasi Asante Kotoko squad

The Egypt Premier League side has agreed to face Asante Kotoko in an anniversary match, Kickgh.com can exclusively reveal.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko will play against Egyptian club Pyramids FC in a match to mark the 20th anniversary of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II reign as king of the Asante Kingdom.

Officials of the Ghana Premier League heavyweights received a proposal from the organizers of the match weeks ago.

Kickgh.com can reveal that the Porcupine Warriors and Pyramids SC have agreed to honour the match to commemorate the enthronement of the club's life patron.

A German-based company Sheer Group are the organizers of the anniversary match.

"We had a fruitful meeting with both clubs [Asante Kotoko and Pyramids FC] and they have all agreed to lock horns to mark Otumfuo Osei Tutu II 20th anniversary" a member of Sheer Group, Nana Kwarteng told Kickgh.com in an exclusive interview.

"The President of Pyramids FC, Hossam El-Bardy was delighted when we approached his outfit with the proposal. He described Asante Kotoko as one of the best clubs on the continent every footballer admires wearing their colours."

"El-Bardy told us how he felt as player when Al Ahly lost the 1983 CAF Confederation Cup to Kotoko on a 1-0 aggregate"

"He admitted the crowd at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium earned Kotoko the title and has wished to visit Kumasi to learn about the club's history after retiring from football."

According to El-Bardy, the anniversary match will serve as an opportunity for him to study the most successful club in Ghana and a partnership deal could be signed.

The match has been scheduled to be played in May 2019.

It was reported last year that Kotoko will be facing Spanish La Liga giants FC Barcelona to mark Otumfuo's 20th anniversary.

The Cairo-based currently lies second position on the Egypt Premier League table with 45 points after match-day 22.

Pyramids FC is owned by Arabian billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh who is the Chairman of General Authority for Entertainment under a Royal Decree of UAE.