Domestic league resumes on Sunday

... It's Hearts Vrs Kotoko..
THE camps of Champion Club Accra Hearts of Oak and arch rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko have been plunged into the mystic world of colours ahead of Sunday's epic clash at the Accra Sports Stadium.

This is consequent to their first round clash at the Kumasi Stadium when the issue of colour dominated, with accusations that at the pre-match rituals Kotoko presented colours different from what they wore at the real match. Though the alarm, raised by Hearts over the issue was ignored in the match commissioner's report, the Professional League Board (PLB) has stepped in with conditions to be met before Sunday's cracker.

According to club and match officials, Kotoko's jersey as presented at the pre-match conference was a combination of yellow and black while Hearts presented their rainbow on green and white background.

Come match day, Hearts were in their advertised gear while Kotoko stunned all by taking the pitch in red and white attire and, more seriously, escaping with it in the match commissioner's report.

But the PLB explained after the match that contrary to Article 17 of the Football Association's regulations, the controlling body had no copies of clubs? colours to prove accusations that the regulation had been violated. Consequently, the PLB has given an ultimatum to all the premier league clubs "to send ten (10) copies each of two (2) of their registered jersey colours, pictorially, to the Football Association by Tuesday July 16, 2002".

Today is the deadline for that ultimatum but further investigations at the time of going to press revealed that the forms for the declaration of colours, to be supplied by t he GFA, had not reached the clubs.

The regulation requires the home team to wear their first colours at home and in the event of the colours being similar, the away team shall change colours. While the Circles, Chapters and some management members worry about (and work at) it, technical men at both sides of the Kotoko-Hearts tussle dismiss the issue with the chorus "Colours don't play football".

Hearts Coach Herbert Addo, following their lackadaisical 1-1 draw against Okwawu United, has been hinted at serious fieldwork to reshape the team tactically.

He concedes that some of his players had been rendered match rusty and that lack of concentration also worked against them in the match against Okwawu United.

Mr Addo then promised to plunge into two other trials on Wednesday and Friday and sharpen the tactical edge of the team before taking on Kotoko on Sunday. With the return into the Phobian fold of the trio: Jacob Nettey, Ishmael Addo and Emmanuel Osei Kuffour come tremendous expansion in the playing options of Coach Addo.

Rumours about dribbler Charles Taylor's ineligibility has also been dispelled by GFA records. According to the statistics, Taylor has had two yellow cards from matches against Liberty FC and Kotoko, and is therefore eligible.

But while some would smile at the expended pool of players, it could pose a headache for the Hearts tactician, especially with the late medical clearance yesterday of the celebrated finisher Ishmael Addo.

Previously a doubtful starter, due to an injury he sustained with the Black Stars, Ishmael Addo was yesterday declared medically fit to engage in high level competition and is set to begin full training this week.

While Hearts work towards full strength and appropriate tactics, Kotoko appear to have peaked after the steamy the Vodacom tournament in South Africa where they only missed the third-place spot through penalties.

And, so fresh from it, coach Ian Porterfield could approach Sunday without any of Herbert Addo's headaches.

All his sharp shooters are in shape, with Joe Louis, Nana Arhin Duah and Shilla Alhassan, really outstanding in the South African tournament.