Posted On Thursday, 18th July 2013
Goallie Isaac Amoako presents the Champion of Champions trophy to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has asked the management of Kotoko to fully account for the sale of players to foreign clubs and that other leading members of the club who were sacked must be brought back to office.
The Owner and Life Patron of Kotoko also asked for the club to go for Congress to address pressing issues facing the club while efforts are made to to listen to dissenting voices.
The King challenged the Porcupine Warriors to put its house in order and go for the CAF Champions League title next season.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said this when he received the Board, Management, Technical Team, Players and other officials of the club at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday.
The club, led by the Executive Chairman, Dr. Kofi Kodua Sarpong, was at the Palace to present the 2012/2013 Premier League trophy and the Champion of Champions title they won in September 2012.
Clearly irked by the decision to sell several players of the club to foreign team at the detriment of the club’s progress in the Champions League, Otumfuo called for management to account for the sale of these players in the wake of the agitations by some fans.
“I hear a lot of things, sometimes about players being sold and the monies not being made public. You are in the best position to know whether these stories are true or not” said the Asantehene.
The Asantehene said the time has come for the club to relieve those glorious moments adding that an African title triumph would only materialize if management can halt the high spate of player exodus and groom young players who would have the interest to stay for longer periods.
“Most of the players are bought from other clubs and so they leave very early. They join the club and leave sometimes just after a season,” Otumfuo advised Dr. Sarpong.
“The team would not progress that way. If you don’t put measures in place to train your own players and promote them to the senior team, then we will continue to be stagnant. Our aim of winning the Champions League will be fruitless”.
Kotoko used to be a power house in the Africa’s elite club competition. Their exploits in the past earned it the continent’s club of the century but Kotoko have been dormant in Africa in for a long time.
Speaking through his linguist, Otumfuo commended the club for the title defence and demanded that they go higher to win the CAF Champions League to bring back joy to Kumasi as it was done in the past.
“I am happy you won the league and I am also happy to be receiving it. What is left is the Africa Champions League. The team didn’t go far in that competition this year. We are looking forward to wining it again like we did in those days”.
The Kotoko Life Patron further advised Dr. Sarpong to provide a listening leadership, accommodate divergent opinions including those who oppose his administration, making sure that monies realized from player sales are made public.