Kotoko fans have plenty to cheer about under Razak
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When Abdul Razak Karim took over Asante Kotoko earlier this year many predicted a new dawn.
The optimists were right as last weekend the former Ghana captain lead the club to a 19th league title with two games in hand.
It was the first time in 10 years that the club, once the most powerful in Ghana, had achieved league title success and it was a moment for all to savour not least of all for Razak.
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This time we got everything right - we have energetic management, the right players and we share good ideas together
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The 1978 African Footballer of the Year was coaxed back to his old club at the start of the season after successful coaching stints in Mali and Togo.
He told the BBC Sport website it was an amazing feel to take the club back to the top after a decade in the doldrums.
"It's great I feel very happy because of my love for this club," he said.
"They have not been able to win the league for so long and for me coming back home and helping them win it in my first year makes it very memorable for me."
In the last decade Kotoko has had to watch the likes of Hearts of Oak and Obuasi Goldfields dominate the local scene but under Razak there is renewed hope that the Kumasi-based club has turned a corner.
Razak believes it has a lot to do with having the right people back in charge at the club.
"This time round we got everything right - we have energetic management, the right players and we share good ideas together," he said.
"We have also tried so many coaches, in the past but none of them ever played for the club so they have no idea of the history.
"Those who have played before work hand in hand to make sure Kotoko benefits."
But while Kotoko may indeed be benfitting from Razak's return, they may struggle to keep him at the club for much longer.
The 42-year-old has hinted that his future lies elsewhere - as coach of the Black Stars.
And his elevation to that role would come as little surprise.
After successful coaching stints In Togo and Mali, where he lead Stade Malien to two successive league titles, Razak was lured back to Ghana last year to be part of the national coaching set up.
But after a delay in the application process, Razak decided to take up an offer to return to Kumasi to coach Kotoko.
He is not however ruling out a return to the national team, which he helped coach three years ago under Italian Guiseppe Dossena.
"I have not been coaching long and I think my time will come to coach the Black Stars," he said.
Razak even has a date in mind.
"It probably won't happen in 2006 but maybe 2010 in Africa."
But before then Razak has another medal he would love to put in the trophy cabinet - a Champions League title with Kotoko!
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MMIX
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