31st August, 1935, saw the formation of one of Africa’s most formidable football clubs, Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
The journey to the top of African football has been a daunting one, with multiple reforms from Ashanti United to Kumasi Titanics to Mighty Atoms and finally to Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club.
It is a traditional club with its life patron being the King of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll.
Asante Kotoko is arguably one of Ghana’s most prestigious club, and are the record holders of the Ghana Premier League with 24 titles as well as 9 FA cups, 3 Ghana Super Cups 8 Presidents Cups, 2 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League titles and a host of titles and remarkable achievements.
The Kumasi-based side was adjudged by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) as the club of the century on February 1, 2010, ahead of Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Esperance de Tunis, Zamalek of Egypt, TP Mazembpe of Dr Congo and fiercest rivals Accra Hearts of Oak.
Kotoko are widely known in Ghanaian circles as the ‘porcupine warriors’, a name which emanated as a result of Kotoko being a force to reckon with in African football. The alias is a reference to the porcupine symbol of the Ashanti Kingdom, with quills and a good luck charm associated with it. The porcupine is also one of the few animals that the king of the jungle, the lion dreads.
Some notable legends the club has produced include the legendary Baba Yara, after whom Kumasi sports stadium was named.
The club also produced football legends like Osei Kofi, Ibrahim Sunday, one of three Ghanaians to have won the African Best. Malik Jabir, Robert Mensah who was mostly referred to as Ghana’s greatest goalkeeper, Abdul Razak tagged, ‘the Golden Boy’ who happens to be another Kotoko player to have won the African Best player award, Poku Afriyie among others.
Kotoko’s slogan is “wo kum Apem a Apem b3ba” which literally means ‘kill a thousand and a thousand will reemerge’. This is to depict the relentless attitude of the club.
Asante Kotoko competes in the Ghana Premier League and play their Home games at the Baba Yara Stadium which has a capacity of 40,528 seats.
Kotoko’s long-standing rivalry with Accra Hearts of Oak is one of the fiercest football rivalries on the continent, with the two clubs constantly clashing to determine the best among the two.
The traditional home kit of the porcupine warriors is an all-red attire, with red kits and shorts.
Kotoko would be looking to add a 25th league title to their trophy-laden cabinet when the 2023/24 Betpawa Premier League commences on September 15, 2023.
The initial desire of 13 young men inspired by a driver to establish their own football club has come to fruition as we pay homage to one of the most widely adored football clubs in the world and celebrate greatness today.
–
Story by: Andrews Sefa Bamfo | universnews.ug.edu.gh
