Midfielder Richard Mpong has confidence in the current crop of players of Asante Kotoko as he has described the team as one ââ¬Ëcapable of doing well in every competition including the CAF Champions Leagueââ¬â¢.
The two-time champions have a lot to prove in Africa next season having failed in that regard, since they last won the title in 1983, with several disappointing runs including two preliminary stage exits within the last two seasons.
Another expedition is looming next year and the team has been strengthened with Frank Sarfo Gyamfi, Ahmed Toure, Kwasi Acheampong, Latif Abdul, Obed Owusu and a few others to feel in the gabs created by the exit of Seidu Bancey, Aziz Yusif, Issah Yakubu and others.
Speaking toAsantekotokosc.com on the clubââ¬â¢s chances in Africa next season, Richard Mpong was extremely hopeful backing his claim by the depth of quality in the team.
ââ¬ÅYes. And, my conviction is because we have a lot of quality players and a stronger team now than we had last season. This team is capable of doing well in every competition and the Champions League is no exception. Anybody who has followed us closely will attest to our current level of qualityââ¬, he said.
The delay in the start of the 2014/15 premier league means that Kotokoââ¬â¢s plan of using the local competition to gain momentum for Africa is somehow thwarted. Should it even start, its lateness could mean that the club would not yield the full benefits.
ââ¬ÅIt would have been perfect if the league was in sessionââ¬, he maintained. ââ¬ÅThe Champions League is starting early next year; obviously the players would have improved more to the benefit of the team. Itââ¬â¢s worrying when you are training and there is no competition to play. But, we are doing all we can to maintain our form and to be ready when the competitions startââ¬.
When asked of their target, the home based Black Stars winger was optimistic of ââ¬Ëthe group stageââ¬â¢ from which level they would ââ¬Ëtake one match at a time to progress furtherââ¬â¢.
Source: asantekotokosc.com