Asante Kotoko coach Mas-Ud Dramani says he is uncomfortable with games played during the Christmas festivities.Â
The champions suffered their first defeat of the campaign against Berekum Chelsea two days before Christmas and labored to a 3-2 win over Real Tamale United on Boxing Day.
The Ghana top flight usually goes on a mini-break for the holiday period but this year was an exception.
And coach Dramani says having to play games during this festive period where there is a heightened appetite for fun and merrymaking is proving a major psychological distraction to his side.
“Psychologically I think it has a negative effect on the players and the technical team,†Dramani said after the win over RTU.
“I think that for the spectatoring it is likely it is very good for them because they are on holidays and they have the family and close relations around you and you would want to go to the stadium to watch the games together.
“But for the players and the technical staff it is very harsh on them. You cannot go to a game without preparing.
“So Kotoko for instance after the match in Berekum we needed to do recovery on Monday and needed to go to camp that same evening of recovery.
“We had to form a compromise with the players so that at least they could meet family and close relations but they had to leave to go to their professional jobs.
“From my point of view I think it is really very harsh and it has a psychological effect.
“The calendar needs to be looked at, at least just that moment a break will do a very big good.â€
Kotoko’s win on Boxing Day has seen them break into the top four and are now just four points adrift leaders Aduana Stars.
They will next make a short trip to take on city rivals King Faisal before rounding up the first round away to Liberty Professionals.