Mariano Barreto lands in Ghana after renewal of UEFA Pro coaching license as Portuguese may lead Asante Kotoko to Aduana Stars clash
Asante Kotoko trainer Mariano Barreto has landed in Ghana after traveling to native country Portugal to renew his coaching license.
The former Black Stars coach left the shores of Ghana after his side’s 1-1 draw against West African Football Academy (WAFA).
The short trip was to aid the Portuguese coach to renew his UEFA Pro coaching license as the end of the football season in Portugal provides a short window for coaching license renewals.
In an interview, the Communications Manager of the Porcupine Warriors has disclosed they were expecting their coach to return today, May 27, 2021.
“We expect Head Coach Mariano Barretoto to return to Ghana today after travelling to renew his UEFA Pro License,” he said.
Asante Kotoko will play Aduana Stars in matchday 27 of the Ghana Premier League on Saturday. Any results apart from a victory will potentially hamper Kotoko’s chances of lifting the Ghana Premier League.
Club’s acting Communication Director David Obeng Nyarko has now acknowledged how important their weekend trip to Aduana Stars is.
“Every single point in the GPL is important and not a single game against Aduana Stars (this weekend) will determine our faith in the Ghana Premier League title but I will say it’s Kotoko’s most important game of the season,” Obeng Nyarko told Spice FM.
Kotoko have been heavily contested on the title with Hearts of Oak leapfrogging Barreto’s men in last four Premier League outings. Kotoko failure to beat West African Football Academy last week saw Hearts maintained the top spot.
Before Kotoko 1-1 draw against WAFA, Hearts of Oak had beaten Dreams FC to catch attention of now being seen as one of the favorites for this season’s title.
As it stands now, the Ghana Premier League is regarded as a two horse race between the two biggest clubs in Ghana though Medeama and Great Olympics are in the mix to challenge for the ultimate.
While talks involving the impact of Kotoko-Hearts chase for the Premier League title on Ghana football have gone beyond the media scene, former players have begun sharing views on impacts.
Frimpong Manso, former player of Kotoko is the latest to speak about the above development.
“When it happens that Kotoko and Hearts are battling for the league it revives the game. The fans of these clubs who were asleep will try to get involved in the club activities because it has gotten the stage where the pride will be at stake”
“Both clubs will try to win the league and it is something that will at the end of the league take our game to a different level. So I think their rise is good for our football” he said.
