The Porcupine Warriors are targeting a great start in their CAF Champions League campaign against Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) of Liberia at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.

In a month that the home based Black Stars have made the nation proud in the just ended CHAN tournament, Kotoko and the other Africa representatives – Berekum Chelsea, Medeama and Ebusua Dwarfs have a huge responsibility to hold in high esteem the flag of Ghana in their respective competitions.

As Coach Didi Dramani and his charges host BYC, the Berekum lads who had an impressive show in their CAF Champions League debut last year will engage Atlabar FC from South Sudan in another Champions League match. Medeama SC will battle FC Panthers of Equatorial Guinea while Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs come face to face with Senegalese side Diaraf FC both in the Confederations Cup.

Ghanaians are expecting these teams to go beyond the preliminary stage to prove to cynics that Ghana is back to stay in CAF Inter Clubs competitions.  For Kotoko who have the group stage as their interim target, their counterparts from Liberia can never serve as impediment to their ambition whether it rains or shines.  

On Sunday two things will be expected from the Fabulous Boys. First is a convincing result which will make the return leg a mere formality a week later in Monrovia. Secondly, Kotoko ought to protect the history they made last year, February 17, against Sony Nguema who suffered a 7-0 humiliation in their CAF Champions League opener in Kumasi.

The good news is that most of the players – Isaac Amoako, Ohene Brenya, Bobie Ansah, Joseph Ochaya Kwabena Adusei Richard Mpong, Michael Akuffu, Abdul Yusif and Seidu Bancey, Ben Adama, Godfred Asante, Amos Frimpong and Felix Annan who were part of that historic squad are still around.

It is only striker Kofi Nti Boakye and midfielders Michael Helegbe, Michael Anaba, Rashid Sumaila and David Offei who have left the team. The exposure and experience among skipper Ohene Brenya and co puts Kotoko in a good position to silence the Liberians.

Preparations towards Sunday’s game have been adequate. Aside the series of friendly matches that Kotoko played last month, the team on Sunday put up a breathtaking performance to beat First Klass FC 3-0 in the MTN FA Cup round of 32 with Issah Yakubu, Isaac Boakye and Aminu Mohammed scoring. To the technical staff, it was a good exercise since it has given them a fair idea of which tactical formation to adopt for the much awaited game.

Also to Kotoko’s advantage, the CHAN players – Isaac Amoako, Kwabena Adusei, Abeiku Ainooson, Richard Mpong, Michael Akuffu, Yahaya Mohammed, Jordan Opoku and Seidu Bancey have arrived Kumasi fully fit and strong. They are highly motivated to replicate their sterling show on the Liberians.

“We are back to continue our good works for Kotoko. Just as we did for the Black Stars in South Africa, I know God will give us similar strength to power Kotoko to success on Sunday” said Jordan Opoku who was very influential in Berekum Chelsea’s outstanding show in Africa last year.

Information about Kotoko’s opponent, BYC, have been scanty but reports indicate they are one of the richest clubs in Liberia football and have been promised a mouthwatering bonus should they beat Kotoko on Sunday. It was glaring from their body language on their arrival at the Kotoka International Airport on Wednesday night that they really mean business in Kumasi.

Kotoko players must take great lessons from what JSM Bajaia did on April 7, 2013 at the Baba Yara Stadium by sending them packing from the CAF Champions League and remain well armed for their opponents.