Former Asante Kotoko captain Michael Akuffo has spoken out about the need for the club to provide psychological support to its players during their recent struggles on the field. The Porcupine Warriors have faced a tough second half of the 2023/24 season, going eight games without a victory.
The poor run of form has not only put pressure on head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum but also on the players themselves. Akuffo, in an interview with 3FM, emphasized the importance of psychological assistance for the players. He suggested that Kotoko, being a modern club, should consider enlisting the help of a psychologist to help boost the players’ confidence regardless of who they are up against.
“The game is evolving and clubs need to adapt. We need to change our ways, especially big clubs like Kotoko. They need a psychologist working behind the scenes,” Akuffo said.
He also highlighted the players’ responsibility to strive for excellence and meet the club’s expectations. Akuffo pointed out that senior players like Danlad, as the captain, need to rally the team and remind them of the need to get out of the current situation.
Akuffo stressed that the pressure is not only on the coach but also on the players themselves. He urged the players to step up their performance, emphasizing that they have the power to turn things around and support the coach.
Asante Kotoko currently find themselves in 11th place on the Ghana Premier League table with only one victory in their last 10 matches, including seven losses and two draws. Ogum and his team will be looking to get back to winning ways when they face league leaders FC Samartex in their upcoming Matchday 27 fixture at the Baba Yara Stadium.
