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| Titanic II - Kotoko''s Turn To Simile |
1/6/2007 |
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(1/5/2007)
Kumasi Asante Kotoko believe it is payback time and are fired up for revenge as they face their arch-rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak, on Sunday in Cape Coast in the second round clash of the Onetouch Premiership.
For Kotoko followers, another loss to Hearts would amount to a taboo, hence the determination of the ‘Red Army’ to get their pound of flesh and get the year off to a flying start.
It is a determined effort by Kotoko which has seen the club bolster its team with the registration of midfielder Stephen Oduro, striker Mark Adu Amofa and centre-back Isaac Vorsa whose presence, it is hoped, would provide Turkish coach Telat Uzum more options to craft victory.
Coming on the heels of a 0-1 loss to Ashantigold in the SWAG Cup, Sunday’s game offers the Porcupine Warriors an opportunity to return to winning ways and get back the team’s self-belief, particularly as another loss with have a devastating effect and also elevate Hearts to the top position on the league table.
While Kotoko hope the expected return of Oduro and Adu-Amofa could give them the needed lift, the Phobians are in an equally bullish mood following the registration of their onetime goalpoacher extraordinaire, Ishmael Addo, who by all indications will feature prominently in the plans of Coach Mitko Kostadinov Dobrez.
They are also hopeful of finalising the registration of gifted midfielder, Charles Taylor, whose fitness remains questionable.
In football one man can make a huge difference. During his hugely successful three-year romance with Hearts’ once-dreaded side nicknamed the ‘64 Battalion’, Addo was a thorn in Kotoko’s flesh, and even though he may not be at his predatory best, the Phobians hope the three-time goal-king and, perhaps, Taylor can roll back the years and power the team to another famous win.
In the first round encounter on Christmas Eve, Kotoko’s attack was virtually non-existent and gave the Hearts defence men a welcome relief, whereas it was the exact opposite for the Kotoko rearguard, particularly goalkeeper Mohammed Alhassan, who was kept busy throughout the game.
With both sides boasting combative midfielders, the game is likely to tilt in favour of the side with razor-sharp attack that is ready to pounce on every scoring opportunity.
The Cape Coast game will impact on the title race but other weekend fixtures will see three relegation-threatened sides fighting for survival away from their home bases.
At Swedru, Gamba All Blacks will hope to capitalise on the poor away record of bottom club Power FC who are winless away this season, while Real Tamale United who are without an away win play as guests of King Faisal t the Sunyani Coronation Park.
Impressive Heart of Lions of Kpandu are favourites at home against Bofoakwa Tano who have lost their last three away matches.
Berekum Arsenal have revenge on their mind as they host fourth-placed Liberty Professionals, while Ashantigold are favourites to defeat Sekondi Hasaacas at the Len Clay stadium at Obuasi.
The Tema stadium will witness double action this weekend, first with Tema Youth playing host to Accra Great Olympics tomorrow while Sportive take on Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord on Sunday.
Preview by Maurice Quansah
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