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‘I had a bet with Rawlings’ – Ibrahim Sunday on Kotoko’s 1983 Champions League triumph

Kotoko legend Ibrahim Sunday has opened up on events which transpired in the build up to the club’s Champions League triumph in 1983.

‘I had a bet with Rawlings’ – Ibrahim Sunday on Kotoko’s 1983 Champions League triumph

According to him, he had a bet with former President, Jerry John Rawlings, on the chances of Kotoko in the competition.

The Porcupine Warriors conquered Africa over three decades ago when they defeated Al Ahly to win Champions League (then known as the Africa Champions Cup).

A lone goal from Opoku Afriyie was enough to secure a first, and so far only, continental triumph for the Kumasi-based club.

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Sunday said Rawlings was not convinced that Kotoko could win the title and predicted an early exit for the club.

He explained that he countered the Head of State’s opinion and had a bet with him that Kotoko would be African titles.

“In 1983 we played a game against Eleven Wise in the Champion of Champions Cup and former President Jerry John Rawlings was the one to present the trophy in Accra," Sunday told Accra-based Happy FM.

“We lost the match and during the exchange of pleasantries, President Rawlings told me that our team was not good enough to compete in Africa. So, we shouldn’t go to Africa. So I had a bet with him that in December that year we will win the title."

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He added: “We had a bet and that even motivated me and the players to win the tournament. The players were more disciplined and motivated to win the tournament after losing the final in 1982.

“So in the final the President came from Accra to congratulate me after winning the trophy.”

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