Club legend ‘Golden Boy’ Karim Abdul Razak has urged Asante Kotoko fans to manage their expectations of new coach Mariano Barreto.
Fans are in a positive mood after back-to-back wins under the Portuguese propelled the Porcupine Warriors to the top of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League (GPL) standings.
Kotoko have had to endure a mixed season so far but recent results are giving hope that a 24th league title triumph is possible.
Speaking to Nhyira 104.5 FM in Kumasi, Abdul Razak, who has played and gone on to coach the club has urged caution.
“This is the beginning of Mariano Barreto’s reign as he is handling the second round after others took charge of the first-round games.
“Hearts brought Kosta Papic who started well but results were not encouraging after some games.”
Golden Boy, however, commended Barreto’s bright start to his second coming in Ghana but was cautious to be overblown by the few games played.
“He [Mariano Barreto] has started on a good note by winning his first two games and he needs to be credited but we need to be patient with him,” Razak noted.
The 1978 African Player of Year led Kotoko to win their maiden trophy in 2002/03 league season – their first since professional football league began in 1994.
The Porcupines had gone 10 years bereft of the Ghana Premier League trophy which was dominated by Goldfields, now AshantiGold and Accra Hearts of Oak.
Asante Kotoko – in Barreto’s third test – will play guests to Great Olympics at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday.
