Former Kotoko and now Sundowns of South Africa’s defender, Rashid Sumaila has thanked the people of Kumasi particularly Kotoko supporters, saying he would miss them now that he has left for South Africa. The centre back joined Kotoko from Ebusua Dwarfs on a season-long loan. A lot of Kotoko supporters at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium where the Porcupines took on Sundowns on Sunday, interestingly were touched by the true status of the hard working defender as his change of shirt from Kotoko’s red to Sundowns’ white evoked tears. Speaking to asantekotokosc.com after the game, Rashid Sumaila showered praises on the Kumasi fans for the support given him throughout his stay. “I am very grateful to the people of Kumasi especially Kotoko supporters. I will miss Kumasi and the supporters very much. I thank them for all the support they gave me. I promise to make them proud everywhere I go” said Rashid. “I am happy I won the league title with Kotoko. My move to Sundowns is another step in my football career. I am confident that with the exposure at Kotoko, I will succeed. I wish the club well and I wish to return to work either as a player or an official in future” he added. In quite an unforgettable last game for Rashid, the Porcupines lost 0-2 to Memlodi Sundowns in the international pre-season friendly game. Most of the fans bided an emotional farewell to Rashid Sumaila who has now officially joined the respected South African side. Smallboy Korbah scored an own goal to put the visitors in front in the 48th minute and Bongani Zungu made it 2-0 in the 81st minute to wrap up a game in which Kotoko was less impressive. Rashid was a pillar in Kotoko’s defence in the first half but as the players emerged from the changing room, he appeared in Mamelodi Sundowns’ all-white jersey and the supporters cheered the former Kotoko defender as he moved to Sundowns’ half. The first half was evenly played and with the scores ending goalless, both teams improved remarkably in the second half but it was the visitors who started to exert pressure on the host in the early minutes. In one of their quick moves, which was their third successive invasion of the Kotoko goal area in two minutes, a long pass was sent to the right side of attack to locate substitute Raymond Monama. He advanced with the ball and sent a cross into the Kotoko six-yard-box. In the haste of clearing the ball to safety, Smallboy Korbah’s touch unfortunately redirected the ball into the net. Then in the 50th minute, Teko Modise sent Luthberty Malatila through on goal on the left side. Unfazed by the challenge given to him by substitute Kofi Agyare, Malatila tried a low curler which Isaac Amoako was saved. Kotoko regrouped and for the first time in the second half, made inroads into the final third of Sundowns but tried as they did, the Porcupines could not surpass Rashid Sumaila and Alje Shut. Kotoko returnee, Albert Bruce managed to deflect Godfred Asante’s pass wider to the left in the 76th minute. Jafaru Samed and Joseph Ochaya combined beautifully to have the latter tear away dangerously towards the rear but Rashid Sumaila slid and kicked the ball to corner before the Kotoko could wreck havoc. With further cause for anxiety for Kotoko in the 79th minute, Thami Sangweni, who was presented with nice set up in the 18-yard box by Dowe Wome, could only shoot wide. Sundowns yet again took over the exchanges immediately after the restart. Gracefully, the visitors struggled to create the opening and so sent the ball back. The Kotoko midfield advanced forward and the ball was lopped behind them but only as far as Albert Bruce who was standing halfway into the Kotoko territory with only Kofi Agyare and Ohene Brenya behind him. The midfielder could not control the ball firmly before it was pounced on by Bongani Zungu, who ran with it towards goal with only Kofi Agyare confronting him. Bongani craftily placed the ball at the far lower corner to register Sundowns’ second goal. Kotoko pressed hard for a goal but Francis Adjei failed to utilize the glaring chance that fell his way in the 83rd minute. The youngster, with only Kennedy Nweene to beat, failed to take it early as he tried to dribble past the well-experienced Zambian goalie. Alhassan Bukari followed suit on the stroke of full time when his shot at the close range went over the bar. Kotoko lineup: Isaac Amoako/Felix Annan, Bobie Ansah, Joseph Ochaya, Smallboy Korbah/Ohene Brenya, Rashid Sumaila/Kofi Agyare, Michael Akufu/Godfred Asante, Issah Yakubu/Mickey Ofosu, Prince Baffoe/Albert Bruce, Seidu Bancey/Bukari Alhassan, Ransford Osei/Jafaru Samed, Michael Helegbe/Francis Adjei. Sundowns lineup: Kennedy Nweene, Bryce Moon/Rama Mphahehe, Tebogo Langerman/Elia Pelempe, Emmanuel Mathias/Rashid Sumaila, Alje Shut, Bongani Zungu, Teko Modise, Anthony Laffor, Thami Sangweni/Denise Onyango, Dowe Wome, Cathberty Malatila/Punch Senamela,