A glance at a football pitch and one could see a big mirror depicting the reflection of the manager through his players on the pitch. An eagle view of the pitches in Africa and one can clearly see a huge reflected image of CK Akonnor on the pitch through his players.
In the words of Leopold Stokowski, “a painter paints his pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. We provide the music and you provide the silence” – and in silence, the football community in Ghana sits in amazement to the tunes of soothing music provided by CK Akonnor and his orchestra on stage [Africa].
One can only sit in silence and wonder how the 44-year-old has managed to unify a team full of rusty ‘violinist’, ‘violist’, ‘cellist’ and ‘bassist’ to play such harmonious tunes in the absence of competitive domestic football.
The former Black Stars captain parted ways with boyhood AshantiGold under circumstances he regarded disrespectful only to be engaged by regional rivals Asante Kotoko months later after the club’s boss resigned – and was ultimately tasked with returning the club back to the pinnacle of Ghana and African football.
The club’s decision to compete in Africa meant CK Akonnor had less time to implement his style of football; ‘Agorͻball’: a combination of entertainment football with goals. Bent on restoring the club back to its glorious days in African football, the club backed the manager by securing the signatures of 11 new players to aide him in this quest.
A series of friendly matches were organized with high profile clubs to keep the players fit and sharp as well as being abreast with ‘Agorͻball’ before their participation in the Caf Confederation Cup – a competition they had failed to make its group stage in the last decade.
In next to no time, the players have taken to ‘Agorͻball’ like a duck to water – moving the ball nicely, quick short passes as well as making runs down the wings in Emmanuel Gyamfi and Maxwell Baakoh.
One could only assume that, this is the handiwork of a magician – absolutely not! This is the handiwork of a conductor – who has managed to unearth and sharpen the unique talents of his team to play in such a manner.
Smartly dressed on the touchline and waving his hands in directness to his players on the field of play is reminiscent of a conductor leading an orchestra without a baton.
They say; “the drum to which we march reveals the conductor to whom we’re listening”.
The Porcupine Warriors marched on to the group stages of the Caf Confederation Cup for the first time in a decade by listening to their elegant conductor – leaving Kariobangi Sharks and Coton Sport of Kenya and Cameroon respectively in awe of their supremacy and elegance in both legs.
CK Akonnor continues to move the needle in the group stages of the competition with his tactical flexibility and one can only hope that – the conductor and his orchestra will continue to wow the silenced crowd with their soothing music.
