Kotoko to invade Morocco

Kumasi Asante Kotoko embark on a fabulous adventure this weekend as they descend on Morocco with big ambitions. Kotoko face their final hurdle - Wydad Casablanca - in their march towards their third continental glory.

Back home their followers have their champagne bottles on ice as the countdown begins for what could be, perhaps, the biggest party in the Garden City since Papa Arko lifted the African Cup in 1983.

It may be 19 long years since 'Lord Zico' Opoku Nti's left-footed strike against Ahly brought Kotoko their third continental glory. That unusually long drought could be over soon, but the Porcupine Warriors must first clear the last hurdle in their path in Saturday's first leg clash in the Cup Winners Cup final.

Kotoko's ambitions clash with that of their Moroccan opponents whose coach Luis-Oscar Fullone also has personal goal for a hat trick of continental titles under his belt. Even the many die-hard Kotoko fans who would accompany the team to the North African country are under no illusion about the magnitude of the task awaiting them in Casablanca.

Despite their7-2 aggregate ramp over AS Police, Kotoko can expect an event stiffer opposition on Saturday as the Moroccans have been awesome on home soil. Wydad been riding on impressive home runs that have seen them dispatching Senegalese side sonacos, Alliance Bouake of Cote d'Ivoire, AS Vita of DR Congo and USM Alger en route to the final.

With an average of three goals per game in the competition, Wydad have their axes sharpened for Kotoko, who also hope to ride on their impressive away form. Saturday's game is very decisive for Kotoko to ensure that their dream is not derailed.

Under new German coach Ralf Zumdick, Kotoko have shown their famed character of old in their last two away matches, scoring an average of two goals per match. He has inherited a side well focused, filled with determination and are also firing on all cylinders.

Since their last date with Wydad in 1987, the Moroccans have gone ahead to win the African Cup in 1992 at the expense of Al Hilal of Sudan, but lost the CAF Cup to Etoile du Tunisia in 1999.

As Kotoko's renaissance enter the homestretch Zundick would be counting on the predatory form of Michael Osei, the competition's leading scorer, Nana Arhin -Duah, Shilla Alhassan and wonderikid Kwadwo Poku to power them. These strikers and skipper Godwin Ablordey have accounted for most of Kotoko's goals and naturally carry the hopes of Ghanaians.

Zumdick has a good supply of strking options who he expects to be razor sharp in Casablanca since he needs to ensure that his hitmen fin their scoring boots while the backline remains resolute to prevent fullone's men from making good their territorial advantage. A win or at worst a scoring drawn would put Kotoko on the path to glory on December 8.

Kotoko's early departure for Morocco via Italy should allow them adjust to the wintry climate in the Mediterranean port city as Saturday's game would be played at night when the weather is nail-biting cold.

The confidence running through the entire Kotoko family is at fever pitch hence a good number of their fans are prepared to fork out $800 dollars to board a chartered flight on Friday to cheer Kotoko to victory.

According to organisers of the special flight direct from Accra to Casablanca, interested fans would have to provide an extra ?150,000 for visa processing and two passport-sized pictures at Speedway Travel in Accra.

The air fare guarantees fans two nights accommodation and the flight makes its way back home on Sunday.