Kotoko salutes Chelsea on Champions League feat

By Ameenu Shardow

Ghana Premier League champions Asante Kotoko have congratulated Berekum Chelsea for their Caf Champions League progress.

The dethroned Ghana Premier League champions edged out Cameroon giants Coton Sport to qualify for the group stage of the competition in just their first continental campaign.

Chelsea have earned many admirers through their feat of becoming the first Ghanaian side to make it this far in the competition.

As such various groups and individuals have congratulated  and encouraged the Berekum-based club in their bid to make Ghana proud by annexing the title with Kotoko being the latest.

“On behalf of the Board and Management of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club Ltd, we would like to congratulate the Management, Technical Team, Playing Body and the entire Berekum Chelsea family for qualifying for the Group Stages of the 2012 CAF Champions League competition,” portions of the statement signed Executive Chairman Dr K.K Srpong read.

“Your remarkable victory over Cotonsport of Cameroun in the two-leg final qualifier has made our country proud, and also affirms our belief that Ghanaian clubs are good enough to compete with their counterparts in Africa when given the needed support.”

Kotoko who have qualified to play in the next edition of the Champions League also congratulated the Ghana FA for making a $30,000 contribution towards Chelsea African campaign and made an appeal for improved support for the club in the group stage.

“We would also like to congratulate the Ghana Football Association for the visible support they have offered our representatives for this year's competition and encourage them, if possible, to go beyond the US$30,000 they offered Chelsea as assistance during the qualifiers.

“The presence of officials of the FA, including its President, during matches played by Chelsea in this year's competition, we believe, is a very welcome development and did spur the club on to achieve the successes obtained so far.

“We are also appealing to corporate Ghana to also throw their weight behind Berekum Chelsea, as they attempt to market Ghana to the rest of the world, by providing financial support to the club for the campaign.”

Chelsea have drawn in a tough group alongside former champions; Al Ahly, Zamalek and TP Mazembe in Group B.