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Kotoko accord Sharks warm reception despite ‘poor’ treatment they got in Nairobi

By DAVID KWALIMWA December 22nd, 2018 2 min read

Ghanaian club Asante Kotoko have opted against subjecting Kariobangi Sharks to the same ‘poor treatment’ they received when they visited Nairobi last week.

These two teams will meet in Kumasi, Ghana, on Saturday in the return leg match of the Caf Confederation Cup first-round fixture.

The build-up to the first leg clash in Nairobi – which ended a barren draw – was dominated by reports of mistreatment from the Kotoko camp.

To be specific, Kotoko coach Charles Akunor blasted the state of the pitch his team had been offered in Nairobi.

TEAM BUS

The team’s head of delegation also rued the decision by Sharks to hand his team a ‘small’ bus, this in reference to a 35-seater van.

But now Sharks chairman Robert Maoga has praised their hosts in Kotoko for offering his side a state of the art bus. The football administrator however vowed to ensure his team wins Saturday’s match.

“The bus Asante Kotoko have given us is nice and we appreciate it. We went for our own hotel but generally, we have had a nice reception from Kotoko,” Maoga told NHYIRA Sports.

The interior of the bus which Ghanaian club Asante Kotoko has offered Kariobangi Sharks during their stay in Kumasi, Ghana. PHOTO | COURTESY
The interior of the bus which Ghanaian club Asante Kotoko has offered Kariobangi Sharks during their stay in Kumasi, Ghana. PHOTO | COURTESY

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But even so, Ghana national football team coach, Kwesi Appiah, has cautioned Kotoko to be wary of the Kenyan side.

Appiah who saw his side lose 1-0 to Kenya’s Harambee Stars in Nairobi last September has dished out some valuable advice.

“I believe that even though Kotoko drew (in Nairobi), it is not going to be easy. The most important thing is not looking at the goalless draw they got,” Appiah told Football Ghana.

“They need to take the game like they are down by two goals or three goals and right from the blow of the whistle, the intention out there should be to try and get some goals in,” he said.

Sharks, who are making their continental debut, eliminated Djibouti side Arta Sola 9-1 on aggregate in the previous round of fixtures.