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Soccer News of Monday, 19 January 2004

Source: GNA

All set for the Top Four Tourney

Accra, Jan 19, GNA - After two consecutive postponement of the much talked about Coca Cola Top Four, organized by the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) due to series of unending issues, the tournament is now set to kick off at the Accra and Kumasi Stadia on Wednesday, Jan 21. With all seemingly pertinent issues now resolved, the tourney will go back to its original fixtures where Hearts begin their campaign in Accra with King Faisal while Kotoko welcome Liberty Professionals at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

Soccer fans across the country will now satisfy their appetite, which has been kept in suspense for the past two weeks with grueling and entertaining soccer following the caliber of teams participating in the tournament.

From all indications, the tournament is not likely to witness any disappointment as all knotty issues have been sorted and a confirmation from the Administrative Manager of GHALCA Mr Kudjo Fianoo gives credence to this.

"All the issues which have been a stumbling block for the past two weeks now belong to history and the tournament will definitely kick off on Wednesday" Mr Fianoo noted.

Information gathered from the secretariat of GHALCA by GNA Sports is that two of the clubs have received the tournament's official jerseys while the remaining two are expected to receive theirs by the close of work on Tuesday.

There is therefore no doubt that the tournament is now set to materialize come Wednesday, January 21.

The presence of Kotoko in the tourney will definitely make it more keener as they seem to have taken the lead in the transfer market by getting into their camp the skillful midfielder of Okwawu United, Elvis Opoku and the duo of Liberty Professionals, trenchant striker, William Tierro and hardworking defender, Sam Addo.

In addition to these players are, Frank Essien from Maamobi Mitdjyland who will be pairing up with Charles Taylor, Nana Arhin Duah, Aziz Ansah and other old guards to make a successful defence of the title they won last season.

Even though Hearts have not made any big catch this season, they still have in their midst the experience of Amankwah Mireku, Dan Quaye, Dan Coleman with a couple of young players who stormed the soccer scene last year and are expected to use this season to showcase their real stuff.

Silas Tetteh of Liberty Professionals have declared that, though the club has lost some key players to other clubs, they should not be written off because those promoted from the junior side are capable of taking up the task with little support from the likes of David Boateng, Micheal Helgbe and the safe hands of Kotei Blankson. Alhaji Abdul Karim Grunsah's King Faisal's tactical strength is not yet known following some developments in the club.

However, just like Liberty, Faisal is known for turning up with quality players each season who take the soccer scene by storm and therefore no team dare to underestimate their capability of weathering the storm.

From all indications, the whole nation will witness fierce battles for four continues weeks despite the pre - tournament troubles.