Thriller In Kumasi Postponed

The week six Kinapharma Premier League match between Kotoko and Olympics in Kumasi on Sunday has been postponed. This is due to the fact that, Kotoko is contributing many players to the national teams, the Black Stars and the Black Meteors. Neither can Liberty Professionals play Kumasi King Faisal on Saturday in Accra nor Sekondi Hasaacas against Obuasi Goldfields in Sekondi on Sunday, the home teams have the same excuse as Kotoko.

Faisal's case is even more pathetic as the team travelled to Accra yesterday only to be told that their league game had been rescheduled.

Another Thriller In Kumasi

WITH arch rivals Hearts of Oak close at their heels, more pressure is likely to mount on Kotoko on Sunday to consolidate their lead when they engage Great Olympics in a tricky duel at the Kumasi Stadium, while Hearts host B.A United at the Accra Stadium.

As many still doubt whether Hearts could successfully carry out their “Operation 12 points in four matches” ,in the past week, however, Hearts have sent the skeptics revising their notes about them as they have made good their promise. At least for now, they have propelled themselves into the second spot with 11 points and suddenly put pressure on Kotoko who have 13 points at the top.

The outcome of these two matches would send the interest the competition has so far generated onto another level. A win, draw or loss either way, could change the standings on the table.Indeed, Kotoko have no problems with scoring, as their top marksmen, Isaac Boakye, Michael Osei and Nana Arhin Duah, are all in good shape and seem unstoppable in front of goal.

Coupled with that, it looks like the years of ‘rebuilding’ are now paying off and the Porcupine Warriors are more confident and doing well in all aspects of the game, especially regarding new recruit Edmund Owusu-Ansah, who appears to be a perfect replacement for Godwin Ablordey in midfield.And before an expectant home crowd, Kotoko will seek to maintain an unbeaten record, a task Olympics could render difficult.

For Olympics, this chance could be the perfect time to reclaim the top spot from the side that dethroned them, after being there for two consecutive weeks. While Olympics’ current form makes them capable of shocking Kotoko just like Goldfields nearly did last Thursday, Coach Emmanuel Afranie’s lads lack adventure in front of goal and that could remain the difference between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the crucial three points snatched from King Faisal have given the Phobians much more hope, and even though they still have not found their free-scoring boots, Hearts could send B.A United back to Sunyani without a point.Sekondi Hasaacas are in no mood to share their home points and are expected to frustrate Obuasi Goldfields whom they host at the Gyandu Park. The miners, who also have a clean away record, would not raise their expectation so high but would be happy to split the points with Hasmal.

Filled with determination at the third position of the table, Prestea Mine Stars will fight to at least maintain that spot when they play as guests of Kpando Heart of Lions at the Kpando Stadium.But Mine Stars should know that the encounter at Kpando is tricky and they must as a matter of caution not expect Heart of Lions to be tender in their favourite territory.

More troubles could come the way of King Faisal when they play Liberty Professionals at the Accra Stadium on Saturday. Apart from the vintage 4-1 show against Lions in the opening match of the season, the terrain has been quite rough for Ralf Zumdick’s charges, and the situation does not appear likely to change on Saturday. If they get their act together, they could go home with a point, though.

Okwawu’s chances of winning another point to add to their first victory, claimed over the weekend, look quite dicey as it is not easy to win against Berekum Arsenals at home, but claiming a point looks attainable for Real Tamale United who face Power FC at the Koforidua Park. The Sunyani Coronation Park would witness a clash of troubled teams as homesters, Tano Bofoakwa, and Stay Cool fight to free themselves from the bottom rungs of the table.