Soccer News of Wednesday, 11 March 2015
Source: Goal.com
Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko skipper, Francis Akwaffo Boateng has urged the struggling club to consider closely their youth system in order to churn out big talents like in their heyday.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who now plays for Al-Nasr SC in Libya, was spotted by Kotoko while studying at the Kumasi High School and subsequently went through the youth system before gaining promotion to the first team.
“At our time, Herbert Mensah and coach Middendorp picked me, Kojo Poku, Osei Kwame Jnr, Kwaku Duah, Ofosu Appiah Jerry Akaminko and others for the Kotoko junior team. They looked after us for seven years and we matured and moved into the senior team,” Akwaffo told Goal .
The Porcupine Warriors, who won the Ghana Premier League last season, have had a lacklustre campaign this term, sitting currently at 14th position out of 16 participating teams. However, they could get back on track if they concentrate on grassroots development, according to Akwaffo.
“When you go to Accra to play for Hearts of Oak, they will say you are from Kumasi so you love Kotoko but unfortunately when you are in Kumasi and playing for Kotoko, the fans will be saying you are being pampered.
“I strongly believe that Kotoko will get over the current problems and bounce back to win the league. They have a very good management with lots of former players on board. It is just a matter of time, they will surely take the club to a higher level,” he said.
Akwaffo was one of the best players in the domestic league. He also represented Ghana with the Black Satellites and local Black Stars. He is on loan at the Benghazi-based Al-Nasr from Egyptian side Ittihad Sakndary.