Prosper Narteh Ogum struck a forlorn figure in his technical area as his listless Asante Kotoko side lost 1-2 to Nsoatreman at the Baba Yara sports stadium on Tuesday evening, and the defeat has left many fans questioning whether he is still the right man for the job.
The Porcupine Warriors during his Ogum first spell at the club were the division’s most enjoyable side to watch as they clinch the 2021/22 league title. Ogum had his side playing some fast, exciting, attacking (and, of course, honest) football, and it was bringing results and entertainment in equal measure. Ogum left his role at the club after reportedly falling out with the Nana Yaw Amponsah-led management.
In his stead, Kotoko appointed Burkinabe Seydou Zerbo to lead the technical team but he was also shown the exit after some mixed results and his assistant Abdulai Gazale acted on an interim basis till the season ended. Gazale came in for significant criticism during Kotoko’s shoddy offensive display.
Kotoko were once again in the market to search for a new coach who could advance the club's style, as was the case during Ogum’s tenure a season prior. Ogum was rumoured to be linked with the job, but it was unclear whether the educationist would prefer to work with the people he had fallen out with. By a quirk of fate, Nana Yaw Amponsah and his team's three-year tenure at Kotoko came to an end and was not renewed by the powers that be.
An Interim Management Committee (IMC) was formed, and Ogum was named as a member of the management committee along with three other people. He was also tasked with leading the technical direction of the club as the new coach.
While the departure of Amponsah and his team was sad, the return of Ogum was met with a great deal of contentment due to his proven record of advancing the club stylistically. Progress at the beginning of his first spell was faster than anyone could have expected.
Sadly, however, Ogum has had some serious problems in recreating the magic formula and writing that much-anticipated tittle-winning charge in second coming. Kotoko’s unpredictability is gone. A paltry total of just four points from 24 and winless in their last six games have seen an element of realism set in among the Kotoko fanbase.
Ogum now faces a huge task to pick his ‘bewildered’ players up off the floor ahead of their upcoming games after a ‘jaded and sloppy’ performance at home against Nsoatreman. The 46-year-old is facing the first real test of his mettle since his return to Kotoko.
The zip and intensity are draining away, with their confidence following. Not a high-pressing side, nor a succinct counter-attacking side, nor an effective, penetrative attacking unit- they’re unreognisable. Now caught in no-man’s land, Ogum seems unsure whether to push forward and risk stepping on another landmine, or retreat and hope for the best.
This is not Ogum’s Kotoko side that captivated the neutral before the AFCON break. There are shades of the unimaginative outfit assembled by Zerbo and Gazale. Prior to the AFCON break, when the Porcupine Warriors were in an irresistible run of form, you would probably only have considered exchanging their forward line for the Real Madrid’s front three. They were that unstoppable.
Watching Kotoko in recent weeks, there has been a distinct lack of a plan going forward, and absolute chaos at the back. Individual mistakes have haunted Kotoko, with the previously dependable Yussif Nurudeen performing as successfully as a cardboard cutout of himself.
It's not only down to the individuals, however. Watch some highlights of Kotoko’s defeat to Nsoatreman, and count the number of times the visitors escaped behind their opponent's defence with a simple ball over the top. It's frightening, and for that to be allowed to happen without intervention, it should count as a dereliction of duty from Ogum.
Tactically then, nothing is working. The balance to the side has disappeared, and the sturdy defence which allowed them to win the league last term are no longer at the club. Add to that a bunch of strikers who struggle for service and goals, and you've got yourself a losing recipe.
If they're to continue their quest to restore their lost glory, they're going to need team performances - not individual performances - and a settled starting XI which gives players time to build partnerships could be key to their campaign.
Aside from tactics, there has clearly been a huge breakdown and division behind the scenes. Ogum has hung some old favourites out to dry is believed to have fallen out with a member of the IMC.
Ogum was appointed coach of the club in August 2023, but the honeymoon period does, indeed, appear to be over after experiencing a remarkable bounce effect following his initial arrival.
