C.K Akonnor offers advice to players willing to join Hearts, Kotoko
By Eustace Nii AKWEI, Accra
Former Black Stars coach, Charles Kwablan Akonnor has imparted valuable advice to players contemplating joining Hearts of Oak or Asante Kotoko.
Akonnor underscores the necessity for players to be mentally prepared to shoulder the immense responsibility and pressure that accompany representing such prestigious clubs.
Emphasizing the significance of understanding the ethos and expectations associated with these clubs, Akonnor insists that players considering a contract with Hearts or Kotoko must be ready to navigate the intense scrutiny and consistently perform on the field.
Having previously coached both clubs, Akonnor speaks from experience, stating that playing for Hearts or Kotoko should be viewed as a privilege but also entails significant responsibility.
He urges players to align with the clubs’ philosophies and not allow fan criticism to affect their performance negatively.
Reflecting on his own journey as a player, Akonnor acknowledges his recognition of lacking the temperament to handle the pressure of playing for Hearts or Kotoko during his early career.
Instead, he opted to join Ashgold where he could develop without the heightened scrutiny experienced at larger clubs.
Akonnor advises both players and club management to recognize that not all performers in lower-tier clubs possess the temperament to seamlessly transition into the high-pressure environment of Hearts or Kotoko.
He stresses the importance of thorough evaluation and psychological preparation before integrating new players into these clubs.
“When you are going to recruit players, you should do a diligent check because the fact that you see a player in a lower tier league doing wonderfully does not mean that automatically when he comes to Hearts or Kotoko he will do well”, he told Graphic Sports.
