Eric Bekoe wonders what Kotoko’s motive is for next season, given the calibre of signings so far
Former Asante Kotoko striker Eric Kwabena Bekoe has expressed concerns about the club’s recruitment strategy, citing the bulk signing of inexperienced players for the African campaign. With 11 signings confirmed and 3 more expected, many are doubting the club’s long-term vision, especially after releasing about 20 players in the past 2 seasons.
Bekoe, the former CAF confederation cup top scorer wonders what Kotoko’s motive is for the upcoming season.
“What is Kotoko’s motive? Is it the African competition, the Ghana Premier League, or both? If it’s both, with the current players, they should have a relook at it,” he said.
He added that this concern is rooted in the fact that the new signings lack the experience and track record needed to make a meaningful impact in the CAF competition.
He shared an example of a match against Dolphins FC of Nigeria, where experienced players such as Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, Daniel Yeboah, Stephen Oduro, and Kojo Opoku acted as “decoy coaches” to secure a win. This experience, he believes, is essential for younger players to learn and grow.
The former GPL goal king recalled how Asante Kotoko used to thoroughly evaluate players over 3 seasons before recruiting them, but now it’s different. He used his own experience as an example, where Kotoko initially rejected him before later realizing his potential, despite his prior Africa competition experience with Liberty Professionals. This experience highlights the importance of patience and thorough evaluation in the recruitment process, he believes.
Bekoe also highlighted the immense pressure of playing for Asante Kotoko, citing the passionate and intimidating fan base.
“The magnitude of playing for Kotoko is abstract until you witness the crowd’s energy, which puts pressure on amateur players,” he said.
According to Bekoe, while he has faith in coach Abdul Karim Zito, he notes that his success with Dreams FC on the continent was due to their cohesion and experience as a team. This cohesion, he believes, is crucial for success in major tournaments.
Bekoe concludes that the African terrain is more challenging than the Ghana Premier League. While he believes the current team can win the GPL under coach Zito, he questions whether they’ll redeem their image on the continent.
The porcupine warriors finished 3rd in the league but qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup after emerging as winners of the FA Cup.
The big question remains: Can the current squad restore their reputation on the continent?
Only time will tell.
Source: Kessben Sports
