Kotoko unperturbed by CARA tactics
Congo Brazzaville club, Athletique Renaissance Aiglon (CARA), have adopted a hide-and-seek tactics against hosts, Asante Kotoko, barely 24 hours to their preliminary round CAF Confederation Cup first leg tie at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi tomorrow.
On their arrival in Accra last Thursday,the Congolese kept their hosts in the dark about their internal travel arrangements.But was only hours later that they flew to Kumasi and made contact with Kotoko officials to facilitate their accommodation and other hospitality arrangements, including their training programme ahead of tomorrow’s match.
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The Public Relations Officer of Kotoko, Obed Acheampong told the Daily Graphic that he believed CARA Brazzaville were deliberately engaging in a psychological warfare ahead of the game but the host team were unperturbed by any such mind games.
But the Kotoko players who are still basking in last Wednesday’s special incentive package announced by the Board Chairman, Dr Kwame Kyei, appeared not bothered by the ‘back stage’ politics, and were psyching themselves up for tomorrow’s match.
Each player is to receive GH¢20,000 should they qualify to the money zone, plus a two-bedroom house each if they lift the trophy.
The nine-time Congo Brazzaville champions are chasing their first continental title in 34 years, as well as seeking to improve on their first round exits in 2014 and 2015.
Kotoko themselves have not fared well in Africa in the last two seasons and would not allow this opportunity to show their strength to slip by.
Sunday’s clash between the two will be a repeat of their 1983 encounter in which Kotoko triumphed on their way to winning the ultimate prize in the Africa Clubs Championship.