‘I can’t bring Messi or Ronaldo to play for Kotoko’ – Mariano Barreto

Asante Kotoko gaffer, Mariano Barreto has charged his players to be mentally tough and back up their performance in the last five games of the season because he cannot bring Messi or Ronaldo to play for the club.

The Porcupines on Saturday progressed to the round of 16 stage of the 2020/21 MTN FA Cup after posting a 3-1 win over lower-tier outfit Thunderbolt FC.

In a post-match interview, the Portuguese trainer said he is working extremely hard with the players at his disposal to ensure that they achieve their target for the season.

”We have our team with our players, these are our players, I cannot bring Messi or Ronaldo so these are the players we have,” he said.

“I told my players since at the beginning that, the shirt doesn’t win the match, if we want to win, we have to work hard and be discipline.

”I really don’t care about which team am playing with, my role is to educate my players and coach them.

” I don’t feel worried playing any team because if u win karela and loss the nextdisciplinedes then it got us nothing so the next match is most important for us, it is the same thing I told my players before this match [Thunderbolt], this cup match was the most difficult match we have because if we lose, we are out.

“Congratulation to all of them [Kotoko players], the supporters should continue helping the team because they [players] are doing their best, these boys are working hard, don’t blame them if anything because they are giving out all they have,” Barreto ended.

Asante Kotoko will next host Karela United at the Len Clay Stadium in a match-day 30 fixture of the Premier League on Wednesday before a trip to Accra to face rivals Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium.