Asante Kotoko legend Frimpong Manso has expressed concerns about the immense pressure faced by players who join the club from lower divisions.
In an interview with Joy Sports, Manso emphasized that the environment at Kotoko does not support the development of new players, citing the overwhelming expectations to win every match.
The Porcupine Warriors struggled throughout the previous season, finishing sixth in the Ghana Premier League, 12 points behind champions Samartex. Manso believes that the pressure on the players, particularly those from Division Two and Division One, was too much to handle.
“Last season, they had a new crop of players, mostly from Division 2, some from Division 1, but at Kotoko, you know, they always want to win," he told Joy Sports.
“There's a lot of pressure coaching Kotoko has, and then there are a couple of other clubs. So it was clear those boys, at some point, couldn't handle the pressure, so they were finding it difficult to play”
“And then the old ones, I think, also had issues with Prosper. I think he also came out and said they were politicians, and at the end of the season, he let go of a lot of them”
The club's struggles last season led to the release of over 20 players and the signing of eleven new ones. Manso believes that the situation was not conducive for a team to succeed, and that the new players will need time to adjust to the high-pressure environment.
"So the situation was just not conducive for a team to succeed... Now they want to start again," Manso stated.
The club has begun preseason training, gearing up for an away match against Karela United in early September. Manso's concerns serve as a reminder of the importance of proper integration and support for new players at Asante Kotoko.
