Kotoko should be able to find young players who will win laurels

Kotoko finished second last season

A former chairman of the board of the National Sports Authority, Kojo Bonsu, has urged Kumasi team management Asante Kotoko to invest in the youth team if they wish to restore their denial status.

Mr Kojo Bonsu’s comments come at a time when the team have struggled to reclaim the league titles since their last win in the 2013/2014 Ghanaian Premier League season.

Speaking on Joy FM’s “Sport Link”, a show watched by Angelonline.com.gh on Saturday, August 28, 2021, he attributed the team’s poor performance to development issues.

“I think it’s a question of development. If you don’t develop you won’t be able to do well, ”he said, adding“ and I think Kotoko should go back to the Anokye era (so on the junior side); heal them young and you will get committed players.

Alluding to the teams’ financial weakness which makes them unable to buy players to add value to their setup, he said relying on young players on the juvenile side could help them immensely.

“The team has no money to buy the best players in the team and I think if Kotoko is to go back to the old days, they should be able to find good players who will come and support and win laurels. But if they don’t, it will be very difficult for them.

“Now football is about the money, the teamwork, the player and the team you have. It is about investing more in the youth side. If you do that you will have 5 players. or more who will commit to the team and play according to the style of the team, ”said the Honorable Bonsu.

Player performances notwithstanding, Kotoko known by his nickname the Poccupine Warriors, over the past 10 years has become accustomed to firing coaches for their inability to guide teams’ efforts in the trophy race, a situation in which the former board chairman, who is also the team’s former board member, decried.

Coaches who have led the team over the past decade include: Bashir Hayford 2007-2008; Morris Coleman 2008-2009; Herbert Addo 2009; Paa Kwesi Fabin at the end of 2009; and Ebo Repairs 2010-2011.

The others are Maxwell Konadu 2011-2012 and 2013-2014; Masud Didi Dramani 2014-2015; David Duncan in early 2015-2016; Michael Osei mid-season 2015/2016; Frimpong Manso and Steve Polack.

According to the Hon. Okay, there has to be consistency in retaining the coaches and the players as well and “if you do something, it will really work”.