Tricky MTN FA Cup duels tomorrow

Sensational UCC Youngsters, the Pride of University of Cape Coast (UCC), are bent on making a mark in Ghana Football to encourage schools to take soccer seriously, while urging talented players to combine education and soccer to attain greater heights.

That rare crusade being passionately driven by Youngsters CEO, Eyiah Bediako, on behalf of the UCC board, has seen the student players extending their exploits in the Central Region Division Two league to the MTN FA Cup.

Tomorrow at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast, UCC Youngsters will continue their ambitious run in the FA Cup as hosts of Berekum Chelsea in a tricky Round of 32 clash after travelling to Tamale to eliminate RTU 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

The Cape Coast battle is one of three early fixtures slated for tomorrow among Ghana’s CAF club representatives, save Dwarfs, ahead of their respective Champions League and Confederation Cup encounters next weekend.

Last season’s league runners-up, Chelsea, have found this season much tougher as they occupy the 14th position in the 16-club League at the half-way mark. But a win over UCC Youngsters might be a catalyst to spur them on when they engage South Sudan’s Atlabar FC next Friday.

However, UCC Youngsters have other ideas and will seek to scupper the plans of Chelsea coach, Tony Lokko, by handing him his first competitive defeat this year.

Favourites for this year’s crown,  Kotoko, play host to less-fancied First Klass FC without eight key players who are on national duty in South Africa, offering the third-tier side a fine opportunity to upstage the Porcupine Warriors at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

However, after proving how formidable they could be after thrashing Wiaga United 4-0 with a second string side in the Round of 64, Kotoko still look good to advance to the one-eighth stage with the inclusion of new signings such as Larbi Koomson, Rahim Ayew and veteran striker, Isaac Boakye.

Elsewhere, Confederation Cup hopefuls and FA Cup holders, Medeama SC, welcome Division One side Pure Joy to the Tarkwa T & A park, while the game between Bechem United and Dolphines FC at Bechem has been postponed to Sunday, February 9.

Meanwhile, referees for MTN FA Cup Round of 32 matches are as follows: Medeama v Pure Joy - Referee Nathan Anafo, Assistant 1: Bawa Haruna, Assistant 2: Samuel Hoenayi, 4th Official: Boakye Acheampon, Match Commissioner: Emmanuel Twumasi

Asante Kotoko v First Klass - Referee Maxwell Arhin, Assistant 1: Fallah Rahama, Assistant 2: Foster Boakye, 4th Official: Adu Poku Jnr, Match Commissioner: Osei Tutu Agyemang.

UCC Youngsters v Berekum Chelsea - Referee Timothy Obubisa, Assistant 1: Kwesi Brobbey, Assistant 2: Kotei Kotey, 4th Official: Alex Eshun, Match Commissioner: M.N.S Doe.