‘Wounded’ Kotoko resume training

Asante Kotoko players

Asante Kotoko resumed training on Thursday morning following last week’s bus accident which claimed the life of one of their officers.

As many as 14 senior players – Ernest Sowah, Seth Opare, Awal Mohammed, Ohene Brenya, Collins Ameyaw, Owusu Jackson, Kwame Boahene, Atta Kusi, Obed Owusu, Abass Mohammed, Prince Acquah, Edwin Tuffour Frimpong, Isaac Quansah and Yakubu Mohammed – turned up at the Adako-Jachie training centre.

The Kotoko players were put through their paces by two coaches from the Under- 20 side, Ernest Appau and his deputy Ibrahim Gariba.

Goalkeepers’ trainers Joe Baah and Sampson Ampiah as well as equipment officer Issah Amadu were also present.

It will be recalled that the team was returning to Kumasi from Accra after playing in a Ghana Premier League match against Inter Allies.

Around 9:45pm on July 12, Kotoko’s bus rammed into a stationary truck allegedly parked on the road near Nkawkaw on the Accra-Kumasi highway.

It led to injuries to many players and the coaches on the bus while assistant equipment officer Thomas Obeng Asare died on the scene of the accident.

Kotoko have since been unable to train. Their league games against arch-rivals Hearts of Oak and leaders WAFA SC have been postponed as a result.

Kotoko officials have refused to commit on when the team can fully be ready to compete again.

“The team is still traumatised and hasn’t recovered from the accident. Per assessment, the boys may be ready to compete after the next two weeks. That’s what our medical team has communicated to the PLB.

“It’s likely that our first game will be in the first week of August against Bolga All Stars,” Operations Manager Owusu Ansah suggested.

The Ghana Premier League Board has indicated it may be forced to suspend the league if Kotoko fail to raise a team to compete by matchday 25.

Supersport.com understands that August 2 has tentatively been proposed for the Bolga All Stars game while the outstanding games against Hearts and WAFA could come off on August 6 and 16 respectively.

The dates are subject to ratification by the Emergency Committee of the Ghana FA.