... He’s not for Kotoko — Opoku Nti
The General Manager of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Samuel Opoku Nti, has debunked speculations linking the departed Hearts coach, Kenichi Yatsuhashi, to the club, describing it as a figment of somebody’s imagination.
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According to Opoku Nti, affectionately called Lord Zico, it is not true that Kotoko are interested in the Japanese-American trainer as is being rumoured because Kotoko are satisfied with the performance of Michael Osei who took over the coaching duties from David Duncan.
“It’s not true that Kotoko is looking for Kenichi. In fact, Kotoko have not even thought of signing a white coach, let alone Kenichi,” he revealed further in an interview with the Graphic Sports on Yesterday.
“We’re going ahead with Michael Osei and he has a good backroom staff such as Godwin Ablordey, Prince Adu-Poku, Joe Baah and others who are assisting him.”
He wondered why Kotoko could be linked to a development in Hearts, especially when both the Kotoko board of directors and management had not considered any such decision.
“If Hearts have got an issue with their coach, why should Kotoko be linked to it? When we had our issue with Duncan, nobody mentioned Hearts, so people should leave Kotoko out of the Hearts-Kenichi issue,” the Kotoko legend stated.
He underlined management’s confidence in Osei whom he believed was doing well and, therefore, needed maximum support from the Kotoko family to win laurels for the club.
He bemoaned the club’s exit from the MTN FA Cup which was one of their targets for the season, and attributed last Sunday’s penalty shootout defeat to visiting Bechem United to the unpredictable nature of football.
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Meanwhile, Kenichi packed his bag and baggage and checked out of the King David Hotel at Kokomlemle in Accra on Tuesday very disappointed but proud of his achievements with Accra Hearts of Oak and hinted he could return to Ghana to handle another club, writes Maurice Quansah.
In his parting word, moments after Hearts announced officially they had parted ways with the coach after almost eight months in charge, Yatsuhashi said he had a lot more to prove as a coach and was looking forward to returning to club football soon and would not rule taking charge of another Ghanaian side.
“I would consider it [new offers] if it comes, including from Ghana but I won’t get into specific clubs.
“Criticisms I received when I arrived here were fair in my opinion. I never had the experience of coaching any side at a professional level so it was fair criticism. I think I proved many of them wrong but I cannot deny that I have a lot more to prove. I am bitter that I cannot do that. This is not something I cannot control,” he said in an interview with TV3.