Countdown to Kotoko's date with history

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 03 December 2002 - After a hectic training session at their familiar base in Kumasi on Monday, Fabulous Kumasi Asante Kotoko squeezed into a secret camp to put finishing touches to what the players have solemnly declared is their destiny.

The Chief Executive of the club, Herbert Mensah, said on a Kumasi radio station that the secret camping is to give the players the maximum concentration to fine-tune themselves for the assault on WAC.

Attempts to talk to players and officials of Kotoko, according to the Graphic Sports proved futile. ‘No entry’ was the response from the guard at the gate when the Graphic Sports team sought entry to the park. He gave no reason.

And as they trooped out, the only response from the players to a barrage of questions was simple, and in a chorus : it is our destiny to make history on Sunday. Perhaps the atmosphere created by the officials was to allow the players and the technical team headed by German Ralf Zumdick to concentrate on their workout.

As usual, the fans were there in their numbers. A German medical officer has been flown in from Germany to work on the physical fitness of the players. It is learnt that players like Michael Osei and Nana Arhin Duah who had some doubts about their fitness have been declared fit to don the red jersey on Sunday. The two players are key to Kotoko's ability to punch holes in the defence of the Moroccans.

The team has undergone a serious training regimen since they returned from Casablanca about two weeks ago after losing by a lone goal to WAC in the first leg final match. The atmosphere in Kumasi is already charged as the countdown to the grand finale of the Africa Cup Winners Cup begins.

Flags and buntings depicting the red and white colours of local idols are flying on cars, kiosks, buildings and other corners of the City. And the fans have predicted a 3-0 score line for Kotoko on Sunday. So when the 170 strong contingent of players, officials and supporters of Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) touches down on the soil of Kumasi this week, they should expect nothing from the people but the raising of three fingers as a welcoming gesture.

From all indications there is going to be an invasion of Kumasi this weekend by fans and other people who have something to do with football.

The Kotoko secretariat could not reveal the exact day the Moroccans who are reported to be acclimatizing in Burkina Faso will arrive in Kumasi. A friend from Northern Ghana told the Graphic Sports at the weekend that the decision by the Moroccans to acclimatise in Burkina Faso will not help them because the weather condition there is similar to what pertains in Northern Ghana presently- cold.

But whether that assertion is true or not, indications are that a grudge battle will be fought between the two clubs, looking at their pedigree in African football and the statements coming out from the two expatriate coaches, Ralf Zumdick for Kotoko and Oscar Fulone of WAC.

From all indications, this week is going to be all football in the Garden City with the climax on Sunday when Asante Kotoko face WAC Casablanca for the Mandela Cup. That first leg match, played on the rain-soaked 80,000 capacity King Mohammed V stadium, saw Kotoko putting up a good show before losing by a thin 1-0 margin.

But, the fans are optimistic that the players will turn things round this time. Unlike the first leg which saw some empty stands at the stadium in Casablanca, the Kumasi Stadium is expected to be filled to capacity, and there is the likelihood that some fans will not even get the chance to enter the stadium.

Reports have it that about 200 seats at the VIP stand have been allocated to CAF officials and other dignitaries. A record number of journalists (the number though not disclosed) is also expected to cover the titanic match, according to the Kotoko secretariat.