Asante Kotoko coach, CK Akonnor says the lack of local football and risk of losing some financial benefits should be good motivation for his charges to overcome Sunday’s hurdle of beating ZESCO United in their final game in Group C of the 2018/19 Caf Confederation Cup.
The Porcupine Warriors, who take on the Zambians in Ndola, must win the encounter at all cost to preserve their campaign.
Coach CK Akonnor’s team of 18 players and other officials left Ghana for Zambia Wednesday morning.
After receiving bonuses in the preliminary stage, the playing body and management settled on a reward scheme that will see them receive a bounty only after advancing from the group into the quarterfinals.
“Until it’s over, it is not over. We’ve done it before. Unfortunately, in the league zone, we’ve struggled in our away matches but this is an opportunity of no return,” the Kotoko trainer stated prior to the team’s departure.
Akonnor continued: “These boys have never gotten anything [winning bonus in the group stage]. So what is the motivation? They know that if they qualify, they have an amount of money to take. Should they allow it to go free? Some of them, that’s what they have [sic].
“Nothing is going on in the league and so if you want to continue to be competitive in this situation, you need to give all. These are the basic things players need to look at and give off their best.”
“Since we started this campaign, when we are questioned more, when we’ve been doubted that we cannot make it that is when we are able to do it. This is a challenge. I remember when we were going to play Coton Sport, there were a lot of talks but we went there and were able to deliver. Yes, ZESCO is probably better than Coton Sport, we still have a chance to win it,” he added.
ZESCO are bottom of Group C with no chance of qualification while Asante Kotoko sit third on 7 points, behind Al-Hilal FC (8 points) who host first-placed Nkana FC (9 points) in Omdurman also on Sunday afternoon.
