By Patrick Akoto
Barrack Young Controllers trainer Robert Lartey has fired a strong warning to Kotoko ahead of their CAF Champions League clash this weekend.
The Liberian champions arrived in Kumasi on Wednesday night to take on the Porcupine Warriors in the preliminary qualifier of Africa’s elite inter-club competition on Sunday.
Kotoko boast of an array of top stars who have just returned from South Africa after participating in the 2014 CHAN tournament.
But head coach of Barrack Young Controllers, Robert Lartey has admitted the enormity of the task ahead but insists they will go all out for a win against the two-time African champions.
“I must be very frank with you Asante Kotoko is a very good side. They have a very good pedigree of players,†Lartey told Kumasi-based Angel FM
“They play internationally on various continents but we are coming to attack. BYC will be coming to test the strength and ability of the Kotoko defence.
“I’ve been aware of Kotoko since I was a kid and my father used to cheer Asante Kotoko. It’s my pleasure to play against Asante Kotoko as the head coach of BYC.
“We even saw some of their players that featured in the just ended African Nations Champioship. We’ve all seen and we know how we’re preparing to curtail some of the counter attacks that we’re likely to face.
"For BYC, I’ll tell you quite frankly; the boys are in high spirits. They want to prove something on the continent of Africa and they want to bring pride to their people back home. So Kotoko should not underestimate BYC,†he added.
He added: “We won the Liberian league, the knock-out (Liberian Cup) as well as the Super Cup.
We are a very good and formidable side and you’ll see for yourself what we’re made of when we come to Ghana.â€
Kotoko will be seeking a convincing win from the first leg to make the return encounter a mere formality.