RTU/Kotoko paraphernalia cloud Tamale Metropolis

Tamale, Oct. 20, GNA - Enthusiastic supporters of Real Tamale United (RTU) and Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the Tamale Metropolis have already embarked on moods as they welcome the "Porcupine Warriors", who are billed to meet the "Pride of the North", at the Kaladan Park on Sunday.

The supporters are, however, making quick money from the sale of Kotoko and RTU paraphernalia in parts of the Metropolis in preparation towards the big uncompromising soccer encounter between the two clubs in the seventh GT One touch Premier League.

It would be recalled that RTU were made to serve a three home match ban following crowd violence against Kotoko in their league match played at the Kaladan Park during the last soccer season.

Most of the supporters of RTU who interacted with the GNA Sports expressed optimism and the conviction of the capability of RTU winning the day to ensure they book a reasonable position on the league table. Mr. Tetteh Quah, an RTU fan said the Club had suffered too much from their "Home away" matches, as they failed to record a single win. He said it is therefore "Pay back time for RTU to vent their anger on Kotoko since dropping even a point would sink them further down the table.

He however appealed to the supporters to compote themselves by ensuring that the match becomes incident free so that the Club would continue to play in Tamale and afford the local fans the opportunity of watching their idol club in action.

Mr. Yaw Adjei, another fan said Kotoko was just in trouble since RTU was going to add to the wounds inflicted by Kpando Heart of Lions last Sunday at Konongo's supposed "Waterloo" park and gave the assurance that the supporters would compote themselves during the match. Mr Maxwell Yaw Gyansah, an official of the Department of National Lotteries in Tamale, and a Kotoko fan expressed pessimism about the chances of his team beating or at least drawing with RTU at their dreaded Kaladan grounds.

He however conceded that RTU who are yet to record a win in this year's GT league would be difficult to be beaten on their grounds on Sunday and prayed for at least a draw.

Mr. Kofi Apiya, another Kotoko fan was modest with his views saying, "Well, even though I'm a Kotoko fan but if the two teams meet whoever wins I am always happy" adding that RTU has a good home record and would not be surprised if Kotoko become the vanquished side on Sunday.

An official of RTU said Sunday's Kaladan showdown will be a real test of United's home invicibility and determination to carry on when they odds are against them adding, 93That things are looking very positive and we must beat Kotoko at all costs'.

Other supporters that the GNA Sports spoke to expressed their anxiety to watch the Sunday crucial encounter and gave the assurance that the match would be incident free while advising other fans to desist from any form of violence as to rekindle the interest of sports lovers in the Metropolis and create a peaceful atmosphere on the preparedness of the people of the Tamale Metropolis and the Northern Region to host the Ghana CAN 2008.