Sports News of Wednesday, 12 December 2018

Source: asempanews.com

CAF CC: Akunnor denies struggling to pick Kotoko Starting XI

Asante Kotoko Players Asante Kotoko Players

Head coach of Asante Kokoto, C.K Akonnor has rubbished claims that he is yet to come up with a constant squad for the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup.

The Porcupine Warriors named a 28 man squad for their Africa campaign.

However, the former Black Stars skipper who was appointed to replace Paa Kwesi Fabin has worked with a large number of players and he is yet to get to know his starting line up.

However, Akunnor in an interview with GNA dismissed the claims and insisted he has his starting team.

“It’s not true that I don’t have a constant squad to start my games.

“I have my eleven players that can start any game, but you have to give room to all players at your disposal. You should not have a static team when you want to achieve something.

“At every given time, you study your opponents well and look at the team you have and what you can do, so the fact is not about having my starting squad, but having an all-around team which is capable of playing every opponent,” he added.

The 44-year-old admitted that Kariobangi poses a threat to their ambitions this season but believes they would be able to record a favourable scoreline.

“We are going to play a Kenyan club that is very good and tough. They score a goal in almost every match and are a threat but what is important now is how we can stop that and how we could frustrate them in the game for a good scoreline before the return leg,” he said.

“So it’s all about working on the way we would play in the first leg because the results will be very key for us in the return fixture. We have seen their play and they have also seen ours, which is a fact, so we have to prepare and hope that we get good results from Kenya, ” he added.

Kotoko face Kenyan side Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday in the first leg of the CAF Confederations Cup.