Worried Kumasi Asante Kotoko fans who have not spared any second to wonder whether their hardworking CEO Herbert Mensah will hang on the position for the 2003 season can rest assured that the fighting warrior will hang on in as far as it pleases the spiritual head of the club, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

This should settle once and for all fears that Herbert would not be seen on board for the coming season. Of course there were adequate reasons to express concern and indeed anxiety about Herbert’s future with Kotoko. The relationship between the CEO and some of the board members had been anything but harmonious as suspicion and mistrust characterized their very existence.

Indeed some board members had threatened that either they stayed on and Herbert left or vice versa. Herbert had not been amused about some of the developments and had openly stated if that was the wish of some of these board members, 8 December was going to be his last day in Kotoko as CEO. Everything however depended on the Asantehene’s wishes and commands.

Last week Manhyia issued a statement through the Personal Assistant to the Otumfuo, Kofi Owusu, reaffirming their confidence in the Herbert administration and lambasted those who have developed a gargantuan appetite of finding fault even where none exists to come forward with the facts or forever hold their peace.

The rabble rousers and detractors are dared, let them emerge with hard evidence of malfeasance on the part of the Herbert administration. The half-truths, naked lies, insinuations and pure libelous write-ups serve no purpose as the Asantehene Osei Tutu II himself has given the administration the nod to continue with their good works which must be obvious to all fair-minded sports fans.

Herbert has responded to Otumfuo’s declaration of confidence in him by laying the foundation for an even stronger Kotoko in 2003. he is keeping his cards close to his chest on which new players his administration intends to sign for the 2003 season but hints they will not be more than “fine top ones.”

Besides the Manhyia factor, Herbert has been most impressed by the unflinching support offered him by the club’s followers, one group of supporters he describes as the greatest in the world. These loyal supporters led by distinguished ones like Assad Mallah, I.J. Moukarzel, Peter Pepera and many others continued to assure Herbert of their unalloyed support and the need to complete his good works.

Herbert could not see himself disappointing all these loyal supporters by simply walking away. He is humbled by their loyalty which manifests itself through financial contributions and massive patronage of the club’s matches. The questions must cease now, the anxieties swept away- Herbert ain’t quitting now.