Duncan to lead Kotoko against Olympics

Barring any unforseen turn of events, former Accra Great Olympics coach, David Duncan, will lead Kumasi Asante Kotoko to face the club he surprisingly quit recently, in the Independence Cup match at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 6.

After a well-publicised return to Olympics late last year, Duncan resigned his job a few weeks ago but has been sensationally linked to the ‘vacant’ Kotoko job following the axing of Mas-Ud Didi Dramani who was asked to proceed on a four-month leave which the Kotoko faithful believed is a diplomatic way of dispensing of his services.

The Independence Cup match, organised by MySports Organisation and Despite Group of Companies, has suddenly been boosted by the change of guard at the technical directorate of Kotoko where the outspoken Duncan looks set to take over from acting coach Michael Osei, after negotiations have been concluded between the Kotoko management and the onetime AshantiGold and Accra Hearts of Oak trainer.

At a meeting last Monday, the Kotoko Board of Directors in a statement signed by its acting secretary,  Ishmael Boachie, directed Coach Dramani to proceed on "accumulated and current leave" effective February 17, 2015.

"I have been directed by the Board of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club to request you to take your accumulated and current contract leaves with effective from Tuesday, February 17, 2015,” the statement said.

"As you are very much aware, you are entitled to 120 days vacation covering the period August 1, 2012 to July 2015”.

Last Monday’s proceed-on-leave order by the Kotoko board only confirmed media speculations about the imminent departure of the coach who led Kotoko to back-to-back First Capital Premier League titles, including the MTN FA Cup last season. However, he has fallen out with his employers following a disappointing performances by Kotoko, who suffered a painful 0-1 defeat to Hearts in Kumasi, and lie in 10th position on the league log.