Opoku Nti: Libya trip good exercise for kotoko

The General Manager, Samuel Opoku Nti has described the friendly matches being played in Libya as a good exercise that has opened the players up to the universality of the game. He is particularly happy that young and new players who do not have international exposure have been given the chance.

It will do their confidence a lot of good, he said. “What makes me happier is the fact that the matches are club international friendlies. The players are getting the exposure in non-competitive matches. This will give them a firm idea on what to expect in competitive international matches” said Opoku Nti.

“They can use the matches to assess their strengths in international football. Commenting on the match against Al Ittihad on Wednesday, the former national player said much as he expected a tough match, he knew Kotoko was capable of winning had attention been given to many of the chances they created.

“Our attackers were a bit impatient with the few chances they had I have been watching the team train and how Coach Duncan has been emphasizing on the players to take their time in front of goal. I think over time, they will come to appreciate that admonition” said the General Manager.

Prior to the match, Opoku Nti had expressed concern on how the players would be able to hold their ground and match their opponents boot for boot in the early minutes. He explained that his fears and concern were born out of the fact that North African clubs have a style that they have been using against sub-Saharan clubs.

“That is their ability to take advantage of the period that you are working to settle into the game and unleash a surprise on you. They knew we did not have too much information on them. They therefore pulled a fast one on us” Opoku Nti admitted.

That notwithstanding, he says the ability of the Porcupines to pull back one of the two goals and pin their opponents to their area gives hope. “It’s not easy for a team that concedes an early goal and a penalty to reorganize and come back. It takes mental toughness and I am happy our players displayed just that. We will build on that and carry it into the national league” he assured.

Credit: Asantekotoko.com