The game he’s talking about is the last round of qualifiers to the 1988 Olympics at Seoul Korea In the first league played in Lusaka on 17th January 1988 Ghana lost 2-0 Ghana won the second leg by a lone goal. Tony Yeboah nodded home Kofi Abbrey’s corner The second leg was played on 31st January 1988
Richard! You remember very well. Arday and Jones (may they RIP) were disrespectful of Malik and maybe envious of the progress he was making with Kotoko alongside his role in the National Team. That was the year of the Zamalek massacre. Kotoko contributed 13 players to the national team, including two goalkeepers (Salifu Ansah and Odoom). Thus Black Stars and Kotoko were camped together in Winneba. In the week towards the Accra return league, Malik tendered in his resignation. He was persuaded not to go public by Ato Austin. Arday and Jones dropped Opoku Nti and Razak in the first lineup of the return because they felt they were Kumasi boys. Late in the second half when they saw disgrace was coming, then they introduced the two into the game. After the match, the Zambian Coach said Thank You to Ghana for bringing in the two players he feared most late in the game. The lessons of that painful debacle should never be lost. When Malik left for Burkina, Arday took over Kotoko. It didn't go well. Asec came to Kumasi to beat and eliminate Kotoko. His assistant was JE Sarpong. Arday was removed and Malik returned. JE Sarpong said he will not work under Malik as he felt he knew more than him. Coach King Adjei Pele partnered Malik and they sent Kotoko to the Final against Zamalek, losing on penalties as Malik has narrated. In the process, he beat the very Asec that had eliminated Kotoko under Arday the previous year, with Joe Okyere scoring two goals in Kumasi. Malik is an unsung hero Ghana and Kotoko. He is a strict disciplinarian and so he easily makes adversaries and people try to take advantage.
In my opinion, he's the BEST coach in Ghana. He was the brain behind the REAL Fabulous Kumasi Asante Kotoko in 1986, 1987, and then in 1993. His tactics against Zamalek in 1993 Champions League Final in Cairo cemented my RESPECT for him after Olli Rahman's dubious RED CARD. Great coach indeed
Good job Dan Kweku Yeboah.... Thank you for interviewing Mr. Malik Jabir ..... It's sad how we over look, look down on our own who a valued and respected beyond the shores of Ghana. Thank you Mr. Malik Jabir for sharing your experience.
Malik is among the most outstanding players ever to don the Kotoko jersey. He was also one of the best African players to form the African 11 who were selected for a tournament in Brazil. I remember his shots that won many matches for Kotoko and Black Stars.