‘Kotoko can shock CARA in Brazzaville’

Former coach of Elmina Sharks, Kobina Amissah, has made a bold prediction that Kumasi Asante Kotoko will pull a surprise with a victory against Congolese side Cara in their return leg preliminary round match of the CAF Confederation Cup on Wednesday in Brazzaville.

Kotoko go into Wednesday’s game with a slim 1-0 lead after making a heavy weather of the drama-filled first leg match in which they wasted three spot kicks before
Yakubu Mohammed scored from the spot in added on time at the Baba Yara Stadium.

For Coach Amissah, modern football was determined on the field of play and not based on home or away advantage and, therefore, he did not harbour
any fear that Kotoko would be cheated.

“I am sure all the penalties awarded Kotoko during the
first league in Ghana were good calls from the referee and so I do not see why people are habouring the fear
that Kotoko will be cheated in Brazzaville,” he said.
He told the Graphic Sports that CARA’s performance against Kotoko in Kumasi on February 10 was evident that they were not any extraordinary side and that if
Kotoko remained compact and fight like they did in Kumasi, the team would surmount the Brazzaville hurdle.

“CARA doesn’t look extraordinary, they only relied on
counter attacks and so on a level ground nothing shows they can beat Kotoko,” stated Amissah, adding that if Kotoko put up a fierce battle, CARA would be found
wanting in their own backyard.

On the chances of Aduana Stars,who play host to Libyan side Al Tahaddi in the return leg of the CAF Champions League at the Nana Agyeman Badu park at Dormaa Ahenkro on Wednesday, Coach Amissah was optimistic about the qualification of the Ghana champions lads to the next
stage of the competition despite going into the match with a 0-1 deficit.

He said the physique and hardwork of the playing body is enough testimony of the team’s qualities”.

Coach Amissah also expressed the expressed the hope that Aduana Stars would have a favourable weather on the day.