Kotoko lead Africa chase

Kumasi Asante Kotoko have endured a 31-year title drought on the African stage, but a win against Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) of Liberia on Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium could provide them with the perfect start to end the wait. 

The heroes of the 1970 and 1983 African Champions Cup triumphs have long since been forgotten, but in the class of 2014, the Porcupine Warriors possess the required talent and experience on the African stage to capture the CAF Champions League.

Their eight-man local Black Stars contingent, which include Yahaya Mohammed, Michael Akuffo and Jordan Opoku returned to base last Monday after placing second at CHAN 2014, to join squad bolstered with the inclusion of new signings Isaac Boakye, Rahim  Ayew and Larbi Koomson. With the full complement if his players, Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani  is in high spirits that his men would put up a dominant attacking display against the Liberian minnows and thereby reduce the second leg at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium a mere formality

However, Coach Dramani’s opposite number at BYC, Ghanaian Robert Lartey, would have other ideas and his 17-year-old club, currently placed third in the Liberian First Division League, will cherish nothing better than to dent Kotoko’s continental hopes with a famous giant-killing win away from home.

...Chelsea host Atlabar

At the Golden City Stadium in Berekum, Chelsea will play host to Atlabar of South Sudan in a Champions League match which favours the home side. Cheslea made a big splash in their maiden continental campaign when they reached the group stage two seasons ago and posted impressive results against giants like former champions TP Mazembe, Al Ahly and Zamalek of Guinea.

Even though the Berekum are not the dreaded side of 2012 having lost players such as Emmanuel Clottey, Bismark Idan, Michael Asante and Gladson Awako, who were the heartbeat of their maiden Champions League campaign, coach Tony Lokko aims to make the best of the opportunity.  He intends to rely on experienced captain Jackson Owusu and other young players to get past their opponents from Africa’s youngest country.

...Dwarfs play Jaraaf

Ghana’s only ‘mysterious’ football club, Ebusua Dwarfs, return to continental football after years of their absence from the African scene with a home tie against Senegalese side Jaraaf on Sunday, writes Chris Nunoo.

Dwarfs, like Medeama SC, will be representing Ghana in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup competition and have no easy task when they host Jaraaf at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast.

Currently lying in 15th position on the First Capital Plus Premier League log, Dwarfs may not be doing well in domestic competition but are determined to make a big splash in the Confederation Cup.

With the surprise return of head coach, Prof Joseph Mintah, and the former chairman of the club, Nana Aidoo after they both quit the team a few months ago, morale is said to be high in camp as the ‘Abontua Abontua’ lads are gingered up for a winning return to continental football on home soil.

Prof Mintah is expected to fall on players such as skipper Stephen Aidoo, goalkeeper Patrick Antwi and his lead striker Dada Kwame as he plots victory over Jaraaf.

The Public Relations Officer of Dwarfs, Paul Adjetey Dsane, told the Graphic Sports that the arrival of coach Mintah and the unity in camp is a psychological boost for the players and was an indication that the team would put their best foot forward on Sunday.

... Medeama in Equatorial Guinea

Medeama SC will be travelling to Equatorial Guinea to face Panthers FC on Sunday in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup, writes Bernard Neequaye.
The Tarkwa-based club have been boosted by the return of trio, Theophilus Anoobah, Kennedy Boateng and Foli Adade who were part of Ghana’s team which reached the final of the just-ended CHAN tournament in South Africa.

The MTN FA Cup holders will be looking forward to make a mark in their maiden African campaign by beating their Guinean counterparts away from home.

However, coach Daniel Luengo of Panthers FC on the other hand will be looking forward to winning his first home match to make his team begin their campaign on a high note ahead of the second tie at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi in a fortnight’s time.

Medeama landed in Malabo yesterday with 19 players, five technical team members, four management team members, FIFA referee Cecil Fleischer, and Premier League Board member Kofi Manu.