Sports
Jerome Otchere writes: Asante Kotoko’s preseason matters
It’s an excellent time to be a local football enthusiast and especially an Asante Kotoko fan. It’s been hard for us to ignore the coach, Management and Board rift that gave rise to some tension in the club, but like it or not, how the Management has gone about the preseason preparation, with crucial player signings, making decent sales of some of the best performers like Imoro Ibrahim, and camping the team in Accra ahead of the Turkey trip, excite many supporters.
These may be regular developments expected of modern-day football clubs. Still, strictly within our context, the happenings at Kotoko speak of a focused setup. The news that Management’s meeting with the Board last week was positive should thrill every fan. Without trust and a peaceful leadership environment, progress can’t take place. Leadership must therefore handle conflicts well when they arise.
When the Africa draw was published, with Kotoko paired with Burkina Faso’s RC Kadiogo, I said it’s good for two reasons. Burkina Faso is on Ghana’s northern border, which means in terms of travel time and cost, Kotoko wouldn’t be drained. Africa inter-club competition is capital intensive. Deep, strategic planning is required to ensure we achieve desired goals despite our weak financial, technical and even logistical position.
It’s why the Board and Management must’ve a united front, not alone to emit the right energy for supporters but also to generate the necessary ideas for financial sustenance, which’s the most critical ingredient in club football administration. Whoever is Kotoko’s coach this season is a point of interest the same way as the players being recruited.
My good brother and broadcast journalist Godfred Akoto Boafo, has had his say on some Kotoko matters, which I share: “Whoever gets to coach Kotoko this season could have one heck of a team if he knows what he is doing” he tweeted days back. That’s a testimony of the team being assembled and the fact that it could be one to beat.
It’s instructive to note also that Kotoko recruitment is patently changing. It’s so noticeable that we can’t gloss over that. Again, I share Godfred’s view. “I like what Asante Kotoko’s scouting department has been doing the past year. They have moved beyond the noise and taking note of some outstanding talent that the media normally doesn’t give prominence to. Not all will pan out, but that’s the game,” he wrote.
That’s true. We won’t have a perfect situation. The absence of a substantive coach presently is quite a knotty matter, for example. That gap would be sealed regardless, and if the Turkey expectations plus the developments with recruitment are anything reliable, there are good reasons to believe another exciting season awaits Kotoko fans.
Harry Maguire, a Manchester United defender, has accepted Hon. Isaac Adongo’s apologies for dragging him through the dirt.
The Ghanaian politician previously rated the former Leicester City captain as the worst player recruited by the Red Devils.
Adongo was discussing the budget when he likened Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s economic management to Maguire’s on-field performances.
Mr Adongo, however, apologised to Maguire in Parliament on Tuesday, saying the Manchester United defender now performed better for his club than Dr Bawumia, whom he said had repeatedly supervised the country’s economic incompetence and had subsequently gone to the (IMF) for a bailout.
“I was very quick to compare my big brother Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to Harry Maguire. Mr. Speaker, I now apologize to Harry Maguire…Today Maguire has turned the corner; he is a transformational footballer. Maguire is now scoring goals for Manchester United.”
“Mr Speaker, Harry Maguire is now a key player for Manchester United. As for our Maguire, he is now roaming at the IMF with a cup in hand,” he stated.
Following the apology, Maguire stated on social media, “MP Issac Adongo apology accepted.” “Hope to see you at Old Trafford soon.”
Meanwhile, Everton will play Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday at Goodison Park.
Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has indicated that he is considering stepping down after five years in charge.
Scaloni made the stunning statement following Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win against Brazil on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro.
Before winning the World Cup in Qatar last year, the 45-year-old guided Argentina to the Copa America in 2021.
“Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well,” said Scaloni.
“I need to stop the ball and start thinking, I have a lot of things to think about during this time.
“It’s not goodbye or anything, but I need to think because the bar is very high and it’s complicated to keep going and it’s complicated to keep winning.
“These guys are making it difficult, so I need to think about it for a while. I will talk to the FA president and the players afterwards.”
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After a brief stint in command of Argentina’s under-20 team, Scaloni took over as manager in August 2018.
Argentina’s 2021 Copa America victory was their first major championship in 28 years, and it qualified them for the Finalissima against European champions Italy in June 2022, which they won 3-0 at Wembley.
Later that year, they won their third World Cup in Qatar, and first since 1986.
“We are sure and hope that Scaloni will continue,” said Argentina and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero.
“Let’s see now he will have time to think, he didn’t say anything in the dressing room about it. We will try to convince him.”
Argentina’s victory against Brazil on Tuesday was their first-ever away win over their rivals in World Cup qualification, and it took them two points clear at the top of the table.
The game at Rio’s Maracana stadium was delayed for 30 minutes due to a scuffle during the national anthems.
Chris Hughton’s Black Stars suffered their first competitive loss as head coach, falling 1-0 to Comoros in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Myziane Maolida’s first-half goal was enough to give the hosts their second straight victory over the Black Stars.
Ghana is now in fourth position, three points behind early group leaders Comoros, who have won both of their initial qualification games.
Following a tense, late win against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last Friday, there was some hope that the Black Stars may capitalise on Mali’s slip-up against the Central African Republic to grab the group lead.
Ghana could have grabbed an early lead in Tuesday’s encounter when Inaki Williams set up Antoine Semenyo for a goal, but the Bournemouth striker hit the crossbar.
Harry Maguire accepts Isaac Adongo’s apologies
Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has hinted that he may resign
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