Football Passion Is Truly Here

By Ken Bediako

There is no doubt that football passion abounds in this country. The thick crowd at the Baba Yara Stadium for the Hearts-Kotoko league match last Sunday clearly confirms this assertion.

Sports analyst Kojo Addae-Mensah suggested on GTV sports the organisers only have to package their programmes properly and all would be well. I fully agree with him.

The highly promising performances by newcomers Dreams FC and Medeama in Africa should be enough motivation for the administrators to sit up and provide the necessary tools for the rapid development of the game.

Training facilities should be upgraded quickly and meaningful publicity packages developed to give the game the needed wide coverage for public consumption.

The experts say sports thrive on publicity. It’s very true. The European and South American league, notably the English Premiership, has proved this assertion right. Due to pettiness and greed, football in this dear country of ours, cannot attract the required promotional packages.

And this explains why a great feat like Dreams FCs brilliant 3-2 away win in Angola has not received the appropriate grand reception at home.

It’s definitely a massive show that reflects credit on the coaching acumen of Abdul Karimu Zito.

The 64-year-old Nsawam born respected gentleman, was a great footballer in the 70s and early 80s. A member of Asante Kotoko’s 1983 Africa Cup triumph, Karimu Zito is fast making his mark as a good coach and deserves national commendation.

He joins the elite of former Kotoko legends who are now active premier league coaches like Maxwell Konadu of Nsoatreman and Frimpong Manso of league leaders, Samartex, not to mention former national skipper Kwasi Appiah.

It is hoped the performance of Dreams will inspire co Africa Cup participants. Medeama to continue making progress in the prestigious champions league.

Medeama, unfortunately, dropped valuable home points against veteran Africa Cup campaigners, Young Africans from Tanzania, at the Baba Yara Stadium. The name Young Africans must ring a bell in the ears of Asante Kotoko fans.

“Yanga” as they are affectionately called were the side Kotoko met thrice back to back in1970 on their way to become champions for the first time on that historic day of Jan 24,1971 in Kinshasa.

The Young Africans match was at the quarter final stage in the old system.

The first match in Dar es Salaam on Sept 13, 1970 was a 1-1 draw with Malik Jabir scoring for Kotoko.

The second leg at Accra Stadium on September 27, 1970 was abandoned for poor visibility midway through extra time after goalless 90 minutes. There were no floodlights at the stadium at the time.

A third match was arranged in Addis Ababa, a neutral ground on November 22. Kotoko won 2-0 with goals from Abukari and Yaw Sam.

Kotoko then sailed into the semi-finals by eliminating Ismailia of Egypt and finally won the cup at the expense of Englebert of Congo.

The records say Kotoko won the cup again in 1983 before close rivals, Hearts of Oak followed suit via Esperance of Tunisia in 2000.

Both Kotoko and Hearts have failed to lead the flock these days giving way to newcomers like Medeama and Dreams to try their luck.

It’s not been easy for these new comers who can’t match the international fame of Kotoko and Hearts, the traditional crowd pullers. It is an acknowledged fact that spectatoring counts a lot in sports and games especially football.

Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak are undoubtedly the biggest crowd pullers. The so-called bank rollers of the newly formed clubs will admit exploiting the popularity of the two pioneers to yield some attractive gate takings.

Currently, by some strange coincidences, the Accra Stadium, home of Accra Hearts of Oak, has been closed for repairs just as was done to Asante Kotoko’s Baba Yara Stadium two seasons ago.

Whilst Kotoko were at the time gallivanting around the country for their league matches, Hearts gleefully played almost their entire matches at Accra Stadium and consequently won the league.

It’s now vice versa. Accra Stadium is closed and Kumasi is now the home of Hearts.

Let’s see how it pans out. If the huge attendance at last Sunday’s Hearts- Kotoko match is anything to go by, then the proverbial Super Clash aroma is back.

It is hard to explain but there is no doubt that Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak are in a class of their own. From time immemorial it’s only their fixture that gives a true picture of the state of Ghana football.

Luckily, the retired players of both clubs realise the legendary status of the clubs that raised them into stardom and they have come together to relive the past. I am told Asante Kotoko have a powerful association of more than 200 old players dubbed Kotoko Legends, led by George Kennedy.

Accra Hearts also have a similar association called AHOPA (Accra Hearts Old Players Association). It’s a quasi-welfare association that comes in handy, especially for medical bills and funerals.

Last week AHOPA gave former goalkeeper Samuel Suppey of 1977 “Miracle of El-WaK” fame a fitting burial. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Asante Kotoko Legends are also preparing feverishly for the funeral of skipper Papa Arko of the 1983 Africa Cup triumph. At this stage may I reiterate that I have no doubt in my mind Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak are the most outstanding football clubs in the country with a rich history.

In the words of Ohene Djan, the late Sports administrator supremo, “Asante Kotoko are the indomitable soccer porcupines of Ashanti, enthusiastic and ever defiant. The club over whose popularity the sun never sets.”

Ohene Djan says “Accra Hearts of Oak are time tested, proven, experienced the glorious star of the capital.” Need I add more? Well, I reckon the progress of Kotoko and Hearts is good tonic for Ghana football.

Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.