It’s been six months since Asante Kotoko appointed Seydou Zerbo, as the club’s new head coach.
The former Stallions trainer signed a one-year contract with an option for a further 12 months.
The 59-year-old came in as replacement for Prosper Nartey Ogum who guided the Porcupine Warriors to the Ghana Premier League trophy for the first time in eight years.
Zerbo’s era got underway with a CAF Champions League preliminary stage clash against RC Kadiogo.
To his credit, he masterminded a narrow first leg advantage away to the Burkinabe giants on Monday, September 12, 2022.
But Kotoko ultimately failed to deliver in front of their vociferous home fans at the Baba Yara Sports Stars in the return leg.
RC Kadiogo secured a 1-0 win courtesy of Bassika Sylla’s 14th minute strike to send the tie into a penalty shootout which saw Asante Kotoko bow out by 1-3.
Eye-brows were raised by concerned supporters about how easily the players crumbled under pressure and Zerbo’s inability to make the necessary tactical tweaks to swing the tie back in his team’s favor.
However, it was early days yet and new managers generally get the benefit of the doubt.
With the hopes of Africa gone, the club refocused their attention to the defense of the Ghana Premier League title and the MTN FA Cup.
Both trophies were top priority but the Premier League in particular, was non-negotiable for the club’s teeming fan base.
Several months down the line, the defending champions find themselves third on the standings with 28 points- 7 points adrift league leaders Aduana Stars after 18 rounds of matches.
Kotoko have picked up just fourteen points from their last ten league fixtures.
The Kumasi-based giants have also just been knocked out of the MTN Cup by the Ogya boys after a 1-0 defeat at Dormaa on Sunday.
The current campaign has been marred by inconsistencies and characterized by some pretty abysmal performances. The team looks fragile, bereft of ideas and short in confidence.
There has been growing unrest among the club’s fan base in recent weeks with some section calling for the Burkinabe trainer’s head.
But Zerbo still has allies in big places with Kotoko CEO Nana Yaw Amponsah coming out publicly to back the manager.
“Many times we do not consider other factors before criticizing. We have failed to consistently produce the same team hence playing a lot of players mid shift leaving the coach to always improvise”, Nana Yaw told Oyerepa FM in an interview.
“Anytime we have a good result with the hope of keeping the consistency, we record injuries or suspensions”
He added: “Sometimes I pity the coaches, we need to improve as a team but I pity the coaches because sometimes getting a 20-man squad is a problem”
Despite the reassuring comments by the club’s top hierarchy, the signs are ominous if Zerbo does not turn the club’s fortunes around soon.
The manager needs a big win and the super clash against Hearts of Oak over the weekend presents him a perfect opportunity to win back some of his doubters.
But first, the team must respond to the FA Cup disappointment against Bechem United in midweek.
