As we all know, Kotoko will be playing Kenya’s Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday, December 15 at 1200 GMT.
While Kotoko is a giant in African football, the Sharks are making their first appearance in an African competition and hoping to make a name in Africa.
The team was founded in Kariobangi in 2000 by the current Kenya FA Chairman, Nick Mwendwa.
The team is made up of young players with less than five experienced players and they are very good when it comes to attacking.
The Sharks qualified to play in the Kenyan Premier League three seasons ago but they have never shown signs of being young boys in the league due to their sharp attackers.
With Kotoko’s experience in Africa, one may wonder why the Sharks think they can beat Kotoko.
The first reason is that the last time a Ghanaian side went to Kenya to play a game, the team lost. And that team was the Ghana national team, the Black Stars. So they believe they can also beat the Porcupine Warriors.
Also, the Sharks have faith in their attack. The Sharks are quick on the ball and they are good finishers when it comes to scoring.
Apart from their sharp attack, the Sharks also possess the ball more if they find it difficult to score a goal. And when they also find it difficult to possess the ball, they start to play long balls.
In games that they find it difficult to possess, attack or play their long balls, their goalkeepers do not disappoint them. Their goalkeepers are very good.
The Sharks also play high pressing football and always want to score in the early minutes of the game.
If you think these are not enough strengths that the Sharks have over Kotoko, then their match fitness should change your mind.
While Kotoko has not played a competitive game since June, the Sharks have been playing active football and even beat league champions Gor Mahia to win their FA Cup.
On the other side of the coin, there are some things that do not go in their favour.
The Sharks, do not have the experience that Kotoko has in African club competitions. Kotoko is two times champions of Africa and has also been to the finals of the CAF Champions League on a number of occasions.
They were also the finalist in the maiden edition of the Confederations Cup in 2004 when they lost to their arch-rivals Accra Hearts of Oak at the then Kumasi Sports Stadium.
When it comes to winning matches, your fans play a vital role. While Kotoko has over 7 million fans, the Sharks do not even have a quarter of that.
They struggle to get even 200 fans to the 60, 000 capacity stadium in Nairobi where they will play against Kotoko.
So while the Sharks are determined to make a name for themselves, Kotoko is hoping to rejoin their peers in African football like Al Ahly, Asec, Zamalek and others and compete for the CAF Champions League.
by: Nana Asabere
