Coach Joseph E. Sarpong, former Asante Kotoko coach, has cautioned the team to guard against complacency ahead of their Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Confederations Cup second leg tie against Coton Sport De Garoua of Cameroon, at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi.
Kotoko gained a crucial 3-2 away victory over their opponent on Sunday afternoon at the Military Stadium in Yaoundé.
The victory gives the record Ghanaian champions an important advantage coming into the second leg in Kumasi, as they try to reach the group stage of the competition for the first time since 2008.
But according to the experienced coach Sarpong, the team should stay focus to avoid any shocking results from their visitors as it has happened to the club before.
“It has happened to me before during my time at Kotoko, we beat ASEC Mimosas and then they came back here to beat us. And so history should guide Kotoko as they go in for the game,” he said.
“For a long time Kotoko has not recorded such a score line in all competitions and I think I have to congratulate them. I think it is a good omen for Kotoko, but the fight is not over yet so they have to prepare for a stiff opposition from the Cameroonians on the match day.”
He however advised Coach CK Akornor to stick to his tactics and not succumb to any pressure to abandon his style of play.
Meanwhile, Mr John Smith Bannerman, a member of the 1983 squad of Kotoko, has urged the players of the club, to remain focused ahead of their Coton Sports Goroua game.
Mr Bannerman, who was part of the squad the 1983 Africa Clubs Championship squad, said in an interview that, “Kotoko was yet to qualify in football terms, so the players must have it in mind that they are about to start the game all over again.
According to Mr Bannerman, “Kotoko players must be united, serious, listen to their coaches’ instructions on and off the pitch and that will help them a lot in the competition”.
–GNA
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