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Soccer News of Tuesday, 11 February 2003

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Razak assures Kotoko

Abdul Karim Razak, the new head coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, has promised to help Kotoko annex the league title, which has eluded the club for the past nine years.

He stressed that the aim of every good coach is to win trophies and that "I am going to do and would not relent in my efforts at helping Kotoko become a winsome side".

Razak, who made this known to the Graphic last Monday when the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the club, headed by Mr. Sylvester Asare Owusu, introduced him to the playing body, expressed appreciation for being given the opportunity to help his idol club.

Razak, who is a former player of Kumasi Asante Kotoko disclosed that he is on a one-year renewable contract with the club.

He is being assisted by Frimpong Manso, also a former skipper of the club and member of the national soccer team, the Black Stars, with support from goalkeepers' trainer, Joe Carr, also an old player and a member of the victorious 1983 Africa Cup squad.

Abdul Razak coached Stade Malien football club of Mali for two years and led them to the championship for the two years of his stay there before returning to the country in search of fresh challenge.

He said, "I know the league title has eluded Kotoko for the past nine years and that I am on board to break the trend".

He said he is going to work hand in hand with the players to enable them understand the task ahead of them to enable them win.

He said, "as an old footballer my self, I am going to be doing all the running with the boys. Based on my experience in the Francophone countries, I have come to understand that players understand instructions better when you are on the field together with them giving instructions".

Razak, the 1978 Africa Footballer Of The Year, has played active football in the USA, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire.