Kotoko set for Mehalla

IN life nothing comes as challenging as attempting to kill two birds with one stone. Yet in the face of all difficulties, Kumasi Asante Kotoko are bent on accomplishing such a daunting mission of conquering both the domestic and continental championships this season.

On Sunday, Kotoko will take a breather from their hunt for the premiership title and shift their attention to the Cup Winners Cup campaign in which they host Egyptian side, El Mehalla at the Kumasi Stadium.

The premiership title remains highest on their scale of preference, but after years of under-achievement on the big stage, the Porcupine Warriors are not in any charitable mood at all.

They have not made any secret their desire to win their first continental trophy in 19 years and since taking over the helm of affairs, Scotman Ian Porterfield has weaved his preparations into the league title hunt.

"We'll prepare thoroughly for the Egyptians and my plan is to take each match as it comes," Poterfield told the Graphic Sports after Kotoko's recent match with Okwawu United.

For a club with a history of clashes with North African sides, Kotoko must be conscious of the daunting task that awaits them in Kumasi. Even before reaching the last eight, Kotoko, then under the charge of Ernst Middendorp, survived a scare by South African club Santos in the Garden City.

They may be a more improved side than they fared on April 29 when Joe Louis rescued their continental campaign, nonetheless, Porterfield knows his players do not have much experience.

"My players have not got much international exposure but individually and collectively as a team we are improving."

The biggest worry could be the fitness of Hitman Nana Arhin-Duah who has ben struggling to regain his fitness after receiving treatment for a knee injury in South Africa.

In his absence Kotoko have struggled to score more than one goal a match (except last Sunday's 2-1 victory over Great Olympics), with skipper Godwin Ablordey leading the rescue mission.

On Sunday Porterfield's charges cannot afford to walk a tight rope and must get his strikers - Shilla Alhassan, Frank Osei, Abdi Sarfo and Nana Frimpong - all firing on all cylinders, since they need a comfortable home victory to give them a realistic chance of making it to the penultimate round.

Al Mehalla has head a more comfortable ride after disposing of Express of Uganda and Al Ahliof Libya en rout to the quarter-final stage, while Kotoko accounted for Angolan side Deportivo Senangol and Santos.

The entire Kotoko followers will be hoping that Porterfield, who has had a much longer romance with the African game than Middendorp, will pass this big test with flying colours.

The opponents are expected in the country on Wednesday and jet of to Kumasi immediately to prepare for the clash.