Sports News of Saturday, 25 July 2015
Source: GHANAsoccernet.com
former Kotoko chief Herbert Mensah
Celebrated former Kotoko chief Herbert Mensah is in line for a sensational return to the club, 12-years after leaving the post, fresh reports have emerged in the local media on Friday.
The iconic ex-chief executive has constantly ruled himself out of a future role at the club, insisting he will not return to football management.
But strong reports are emerging in the West African country on Friday that the Ghana Rugby Association president is being courted by the hierarchy of the seat of the Ashanti kingdom, Manhyia, for a possible return to his role.
The Porcupine Warriors are in turmoil this season, leading to several calls for the dismissal of current General Manager Samuel Opoku Nti.
Nti, a former club legend, has been accused of running ‘school boy’ management which has led to their poor and unflattering campaign on both the domestic front and on the continent.
Kotoko have failed woefully in Africa’s elite inter-club competition, the CAF Champions League in the last three years, failing to make the group phase in a bitter episode which has angered their teeming fans.
Touted as Africa’s club of the century, the Ghanaian giants continue to play catch-ups to the likes of Zamalek, Al Ahly, TP Mazembe, Kaizer Chiefs,Esperance, CS Sfaxien, Raja Casablanca amongst a host of others, to make nonsense of their highly-rated status on the continent.
Media reports in Ghana have claimed that the astute businessman could be handed the job for the second time.
Life Patron and Ashanti King Otumfuor Osei Tutu 11 is considering bringing Mr Mensah out of his exile in football management and hand him the job to continue with the total transformation of the club.
The intelligent soccer administrator has been largely credited for bringing professionalism into the running of club football in the West African country.
He is fondly remembered by Kotoko faithfuls after presiding over a relatively fruitful period between 2001-2003.
Despite his inability to win any major trophies with the Porcupine Warriors, his expertise, know-how and proficient way of making the club an attractive brand endeared him not only to the club’s supporters but also to the envy of their arch-rivals Hearts of Oak.
Kotoko need a manager with top acumen and fast with their fortunes eroding rapidly this term.