Asante Kotoko coach, CK Akonnor insists his team will not be steering away from their possession-based football when they battle Nkana FC Sunday afternoon.
The Porcupine Warriors, under the ex-Ghana international, have always focused on keeping the ball and attacking. That has so far manifested in their play especially in all three games in the 2018/19 Caf Confederation Cup group stage, outplaying all their opponents – but they have just three points to show from a possible nine.
Last week, they crashed to a 3-1 defeat away to Nkana in Kitwe. After the match, coach of the Zambian side Beston Chambeshi claimed: “The technical play of Asante Kotoko – which is passing game – helped my team very well. It was good for us…”
Despite calls from some quarters for a relook, Akonnor maintains no shift is happening in their game style as the boys have adapted and working to perfect it.
“I have given the boys the belief to possess the ball all the time,” the Kotoko trainer said in his pre-match notes ahead of the match-day four encounter with Nkana at Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
“Sometimes it goes well and sometimes it doesn’t. But, I am not going to change the style of play because they believe in that style and they would do it very well tomorrow,” Akonnor added.
He also stated that he is enthused with the output of his side so far in the campaign since most connoisseurs of the game doubted their chances.
“We are already successful in the Caf Confederation because nobody thought we would be here three to four months ago. We would improve, and since I am here, I would do my best to improve this team.” Akonnor said.
Kotoko are expected to make changes at the defence following the absence of captain Amos Frimpong. Reports indicate that Wahab Adams may pair Abdul Ganiyu Ismail at centre-back ahead of Agyemang Badu with Daniel Darkwah, who has been out due to an injury, expected to start at left-back. Midfielder Richard Senanu is still not fit for Sunday’s game and it is likely Umar Basiru will take his position.
The game kicks off at 16:00 GMT.
By Daniel Osei
