Johnson Smith eyes Asante Kotoko victory against WAFA as Fabio Gama tipped to leave legacy by club legend
Asante Kotoko boss Johnson Smith has assured the Porcupine Warriors fans of victory against West African Football Academy (WAFA) on Sunday.
Smith’s side are gradually turning things around in the Ghana Premier League after claiming unbeaten status in last three games against Dreams FC, Medeama SC and Liberty Professionals.
Kotoko beat Dreams in their own backyard, forced Medeama to away 1-1 draw before comfortably seeing off Liberty professionals at the Accra Sports Stadium last Monday.
The Porcupine’s immediate task now comes with a tough league clash with WAFA in Sogakope on Sunday afternoon. The Kotoko interim boss- after replacing sacked Maxwell Konadu in December 2020- states that being in charge of Kotoko’s managerial position means a lot going into tie against WAFA.
Smith has never been beaten in Sogakope by the Academy Boys and believes this trend would be maintained when Kotoko play as host to wAFA tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Kotoko fans have enjoyed bittersweet emotions this season having the early stages of the Ghana Premier League turned sour after winning only once in their first five games in all competitions.
However, they are currently enjoying good atmosphere after Kotoko avoiding defeat in last three games with last game against Liberty seemingly the turnaround.
Smith assured that Kotoko fans shouldn’t worry about which opponent the face as the good air blowing in the team’s camp will continue against WAFA.
“I have never lost a game against WAFA in Sogakope,” the Kotoko coach told Kumasi based radio station Angel FM.
“So for WAFA, Kotoko should not worry because I am now in charge of the team going into this match. I now want to assure the fans that everything will be fine on Sunday,” he added.
Kotoko best game in the 2020/2021 season came against 2-0 victory over Liberty and there was one key man who caused lots of sit-up-right-and-take-notice moments at the Accra Sports Stadium, Fabio Dos Santos Gama.
The Brazilian assisted Kotoko’s second goal in Kotoko’s Liberty victory and now heads into game against WAFA- touted as ‘Brazilian lookalike’ given their academy orientation.
The game will best match Gama’s characteristics as the Brazilian set to show yet another sensational performance against the Sogakope side.
The 28-year old Brazilian play-maker has been tipped to leave legacy at Asante Kotoko by club legend Sarfo Gyamfi.
“He is a good player. He is a player with attacking instincts and always is on the front foot,” Gyamfi told Silver FM.
“If he continues to play the next five, six matches like this he will be the best. He is a very good player. You notice a quality player with how he controls and passes the ball.”
Gama is expected to make his second Kotoko start in their GPL encounter with Wafa on Sunday.
“I am used to the weather because I played in Brazil all my life and it’s the same weather,” the midfielder said after the game, as reported by 442 Ghana.
“I have not started a game for a year, so it is hard to keep the physique for the match. But I’m happy to play for 80 minutes.”
Against Liberty, Gama’s efforts were highly complimented by striker Kwame Opoku who was on hand to turn in both goals fully or partly created by Gama.
“I am very excited to play with Fabio Gama because he is a very fine player and would love to see him feature in every match with me on the field,” Opoku said, as reported by Kickgh.
“He’s my best friend and we have good talking conditions on the training ground and this is just the beginning with a matter of time and fitness people see more than what they saw.”
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