I have nothing to prove - Coach Mas-Ud Dramani
Newly-crowned MTN FA Cup Coach of the Year, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, believes he has nothing left to prove in Ghana and has, therefore, set his sights on conquering Africa with Kumasi Asante Kotoko when the next edition of the CAF Champions League gets underway.
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Dramani, a two-time Ghana Premier League winner with the Porcupine Warriors, told the Graphic Sports that his wish was to do well in Africa after achieving the Ghanaian league and cup double last season.
“What is pushing me is Africa not the Ghanaian league and cup; I am using those [successes] as my short and medium-term targets. In the league I don’t have much to think about; the CAF Champions League is paramount to Kotoko and most well- meaning Ghanaians, and breaking into Africa is a realistic target.”
However, the coach, who is also a CAF instructor, admits that if he is to achieve his aim, the Porcupine Warriors must attract the right quality of players.
“Before we can go beyond just participating in Africa, certain things such as the right quality and attitude of the players must be put in place and the playing body must understand the philosophy of the club.”
The coach thanked the FA Cup Committee (FACC) for recognising his efforts and awarding him as the Coach of the Year at last Saturday’s MTN FA Cup awards ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra.
“I am glad that an independent body such as the FACC has recognised my good work. The award brings no pressure but it will spur me on to attain greater heights in future,” he added.
As expected, Kotoko dominated last Saturday’s awards with their defensive stalwart Abeiku Ainooson scooping the most coveted Best Player of the Year prize. in addition to the Defender of the Year award.
Ainooson beat another big winner on the night, Elvis Opoku of Bibiani Gold Stars, Augustine Okrah (Bechem United) and his teammate, Issah Yakubu, to win the best player honour.
In addition to Ainooson’s two awards, Kotoko picked up three others, including the Fair Play award, and the Highest Scoring Club of the Year with 17 goals.
Young forward, Elvis Opoku of Division One Gold Stars got a personal double by winning the Top Scorer of the Year award, in addition to the Goal of the Year which was long range free-kick scored in a 2-1 victory over Hearts of Oak in the round of 64 of the competition.
Full list of award winners:
• Fair Play Award – Asante Kotoko
• Goalkeeper of the Year – Theophilus Jackson (Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord)
• Top Scorer – Elvis Opoku (Gold Stars)
• Highest Scoring Club – Asante Kotoko
• Defender of the Year – Abeiku Ainooson (Asante Kotoko)
• Referee of the Year – Seidu Bomison
• Assistant Referee of the Year- Ibrahim Adam
• Most Promising Referees – Maxwell Hanson, Anafo Nathan and Prince Amoah
• Goal of the Year – Elvis Opoku (Bibiani Gold Stars)
• Coach of the Year – Mas-Ud Didi Dramani (Asante Kotoko)
• Discovery of the Year – Patrick Kpozo (Inter Allies)
Player of the Year – Abeiku Ainooson (Asante Kotoko)