Sports
Medeama to give Kotoko hard time
League leaders Asante Kotoko’s clash against fourth-placed Medeama at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow, will headline a weekend of mouth-watering fixtures as the Ghana Premier League (GPL) enters its 14th week.
The ‘Porcupine Warriors’ will be seeking to entrench their grip at the league’s summit and a swift return to their four-game winning run that was halted by their 0-0 stalemate against Berekum Chelsea at Berekum in their last outing.
Leading the charge on 27 points and a fragile three points separating them from second-placed Aduana Stars, the homeside need a win to maintain a significance distance away from the chasing pack with only a two-point gap between Aduana and fifth-placed Bechem United.
Revenge would be firmly planted on the minds of the Porcupine Warriors after they imploded against the ‘Mauve and Yellows’ to suffer a 2-1 loss in their home encounter at the Len Clay Stadium against the visitors last season.
Despite losing influential midfielder Justice Blay to Kotoko this month after his contract ended with Medeama, they will rely on their impressive results on the road – winning two, drawing two and losing two out of six – to stun the homeside for the second time at their backyard in two seasons.
At Aiyinase today, league champions Hearts of Oak will continue their resurgence against Karela United at the CAM Park.
The Phobians have steadily improved and currently lie sixth after a rocky start and would be gunning for their first win at the CAM Park after drawing two and losing two in four meetings at the venue.
However, the ‘Passion and Pride’ boys wont be easy push-overs as they are yet to lose at their fortress, winning three and drawing three in six encounters.
In other games on Sunday, eight-placed Great Olympics face suprise package King Faisal, who lie third at the Accra Sports Stadium, high-flying Bechem United welcome wobbling WAFA to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park whilst Legon Cities play as guests of Gold Stars at the Dun’s Park.
Other games would witness bottom-placed Elmina Sharks attempt to bite 14th-placed Berekum Chelsea at the Nduom Stadium; Eleven Wonders confront Real Tamale United (RTU) at the Techiman Nana Ameyaw Park whilst in today’s other game, Accra Lions will collide with tottering Ashantigold.
On Monday, Dreams will play a crunch game against second-placed Aduana Stars.
BY NANA BENTSI ODURO
Abdul Karim Zito Kabutey has resigned from his position as head coach of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club with immediate effect.
The club’s management confirmed the development and announced that it has accepted his resignation.
Management expressed appreciation for his service to the club and wished him well in his future endeavours.
In a brief statement, the club did not give reasons for the decision but assured supporters that steps are being taken to ensure continuity.
Asante Kotoko indicated that details about the new technical direction of the club, including coaching arrangements, will be communicated in due course.
The resignation comes as the club continues its campaign in domestic competitions, with management expected to outline the next steps in the coming days.
By: Jacob Aggrey
KUMASI – Asante Kotoko will welcome Aduana FC in a crunch 1/16th stage clash of the MTN FA Cup competition tomorrow at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium as the Ghana Premier League (GPL) takes a short break.
Without doubt, it climaxes this round of fixtures of the competition and will see both clubs fighting it hard to grab quarter final tickets.
For fans of the Porcupine Warriors, the timing of the clash is not favourable as it represents a difficult period when the club is struggling to keep pace with the leaders in the GPL.
The statistics clearly explain the mood among the Reds fans.
The Porcupine Warriors have won only two matches in their last six games, that is, against Bechem United and Basake Holy Stars.
But against Swedru All Blacks and Kpando Heart of Lions, they lost in miserable fashion and secured draws with Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars.
This has affected morale in camp. Coming against Aduana FC, it will not be an easy mountain to climb as the Dormaa lads enjoy a clean ride in the GPL.
Kotoko and Aduana drew 1-1 in their last league encounter which produced a lot of thrills.
The return of top striker Albert Amoah to the fold and scoring on his return got their fans celebrating and anticipated a smooth run, only to be pegged back by the Lions from Kpando.
Aduana FC at their best can ‘harm’ any opposition. Against the Porcupine Warriors tomorrow, they would have to be at their best to stand a chance against the wounded Porcupines.
At the Tuba Astro turf, Dreams FC would engage Inter Allies in another encounter expected to be full of thrills.
Inter Allies’ Technical Director, Willie Klutse, says his team has what it takes to upset the apple-cart, knowing Dreams FC’s struggles in the ongoing season.
Berekum Chelsea would also come face-to-face with Tamale City who are enjoying a great run in the Division One League (DOL).
Elsewhere, Nations FC will take on Swedru All Blacks when league leaders, Medeama SC, will host FC Samartex 1996 at the T&A Park today.
By Andrew Nortey
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